The $6.3 million project will alleviate the significant flooding incidents that have occurred in the area over the past 30 years
(New City, NY) – Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann and the Town Board welcomed Congressman Mondaire Jones, County Executive Ed Day, members of Clarkstown’s state legislative delegation, and residents to a groundbreaking ceremony for the long awaited Klein Avenue Levee Improvement Project in West Nyack.
The $6.3 million project will alleviate the flooding incidents that have plagued the area for over 30 years. Increases in rainfall and storm severity have increased the flood elevation of the Hackensack River, reducing the effectiveness of the existing Klein Ave levee, which has been overtopped by storms many times, most recently Superstorm Sandy. These improvements aim to contain the flood flows of the Hackensack River and protect the nearby community and businesses.
“The Klein Avenue Levee Improvement Project will significantly harden a number of key infrastructure assets in West Nyack to ensure that the devastating flooding that occurred in the past, will become a thing of the past for residents and businesses in the area,” said Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann. “I want to thank Senator Chuck Schumer, Congressman Mondaire Jones, the dedicated team at the State’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and the County of Rockland for their support of this project.”
The cost of the project is being shared between the Town of Clarkstown, Rockland County and FEMA. The total cost of the project is $6.3 million, which will be funded by FEMA ($4,798,713), Rockland County ($200,000) and Town of Clarkstown ($1,325,000).
In addition to immediate flood mitigation, the project will allow homes in the area to be removed from the flood plain or have the designation changed so those homeowners can realize significant savings in their flood insurance costs. Some residents pay as much as $10,000 a year in flood insurance.
This project is another example of Clarkstown working collaboratively with state, federal and county government to modernize aging infrastructure of vital importance to the region.
“I was proud to deliver over $4.7 million for the Klein Avenue Levee Improvement project to protect Clarkstown residents and business owners from flooding that has threatened West Nyack for years,” said Senator Schumer. “Robust and resilient stormwater infrastructure is a top priority and the Klein Avenue Levee Improvement project groundbreaking today renews this commitment as a monumental step for this community.”
Congressman Mondaire Jones said, “The Klein Avenue Levee Improvement Project is critical to the long-term safety and prosperity of Clarkstown and the surrounding communities. As we work to Build Back Better from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, this is exactly the kind of project we should be prioritizing – updating our infrastructure while creating good-paying jobs right here in our community. We must take bold action to address the climate crisis, which poses a grave threat to all of us. I’ll keep fighting to ensure we do, and I’m thrilled that the improved Klein Avenue Levee will provide protection and peace of mind to my constituents in Clarkstown and beyond.”
“Collaboration between all levels of government is critical as we continue to work on necessary infrastructure upgrades like the Levee Improvement here in West Nyack,” said Rockland County Executive Ed Day. “My thanks to Congressman Jones, the Town of Clarkstown and New York State for their assistance on this project. Residents here will soon be able to rest easier when heavy rain is in the forecast.”
Klein Avenue Resident Jane Stormes said, “The peace of mind that is going to come every time we have a nor’easter you can’t put a price on that and I am grateful to Supervisor Hoehmann and the Town and all for making this project happen.”
Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski said, “This project will bring peace of mind to the residents that have suffered from decades of devastating, chronic flooding. I am happy to have cut through some red tape to help move this critical infrastructure project along and be a long-time advocate for those that suffer from this type of flooding. Thank you to the Town of Clarkstown, Supervisor Hoehmann, the Town Board, County Executive Day and especially to Congressman Jones for helping to secure the federal funding necessary to get this project off the ground. I am thrilled for the homeowners that will finally feel some relief, both financially and emotionally.”
The Klein Avenue Levee Improvement Project is expected to take 12 months to complete. It includes the replacement of a bridge down river on Western Highway that will provide more capacity for water flow. The bridge replacement will cost $2,000,000 and will result in a detour and temporary closure of Western Highway later this year.
