Borough of Highlands
New Jersey Society of Municipal Engineers
(NJSME)
2019 Project of the Year
2nd Place - Category E
PROJECT HISTORY:
Running perpendicular to NJ State Highway 36 towards the Sandy Hook Bay, Valley Street was a 20-foot wide asphalt residential roadway located within a 30 foot right of way. The roadway was primarily flat, as are all the roads in the area, and has curb and sidewalk that abuts right to the right of way line. Located not far from where the sidewalk ends begin the residential dwellings that align the street. Beneath the existing roadway existed gas and water mains along with an 8" dia. Sanitary Sewer and 36" dia. Storm Sewer.
Located approximately 230 feet east of the terminus of Valley Street and near the Sandy Hook exists a Stormwater Pumping Station. This Pumping Station collects the stormwater runoff from the 36" trunk from Valley Street along with other streets in the area that also tie into it. Though the incoming flow design to the existing pumping station worked well at one time, it could no longer keep up with moderate to heavy rain events which led to flooding along Valley Street and the rest of the drainage area.
CLIENT REQUIREMENTS:
• CONSTRUCT THE PREVIOUSLY DESIGNED PROJECT
• DO NOT LET NJDOT LOCAL AID FUNDING EXPIRE
• PROVIDE ACCESS TO LOCAL RESIDENCES DURING CONSTRUCTION
• MAKE SURE FLOODING CONDITIONS ARE ALLEVIATED
UNIQUE OR UNUSUAL DESIGN FEATURES:
• CONSTRUCT IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN A VERY NARROW RIGHT OF WAY
• MAINTAIN ACCESS FOR RESIDENTS DURING CONSTRUCTION
• KEEP MAIN TRUNK TO STORMWATER PUMP STATION ONLINE THROUGHOUT CONSTRUCTION SINCE THIS PORTION OF THE SYSTEM CONVEYS RUNOFF FROM A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE BOROUGH
• BASE CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY UPON DAILY WEATHER FORECAST AND CONDITIONS
• COORDINATE OVER-SIZED DELIVERIES TO PROJECT SITE WITH POLICE DEPARTMENT
• WORK CLOSELY WITH PRIVATE WATER AND GAS COMPANIES ON UTILITY RELOCATIONS
• UTILIZE DEEP WELL DEWATERING SYSTEM DUE TO TIDAL BASED HIGH GROUNDWATER LEVELS
• VERIFICATION OF DESIGN ROADWAY GRADES TO ENSURE PROPER STORMWATER RUNOFF
THE RESULT:
The construction project was completed during the month of June in 2019 much to the thrill of the residents of Valley Street and all who travel the roadway. The flooding condition that once plagued the street has been eliminated.
Through the construction management efforts of Municipal Engineer Doug Rohmeyer, the Borough has realized the reconstruction of a "non-typical" residential street. Considering all the challenges encountered along the way, the project was completed ahead of schedule, within budget, and with minimal affect and impact on the local residents.