Brick Township and Toms River Township will enter a shared services agreement to address the flooding issues in the Normandy Beach section of the Barrier Island. This project will focus on Broad Street and portions of 5th, 6th and 7th Avenue. Through the agreement, the townships will seek state funding for street elevation projects in flood-prone areas.

The Normandy Beach section of the Barrier Island overlaps the border of Brick Township and Toms River. In recent years, Normandy Beach has seen an increase of flooding events.

“It has gotten to the point that prolonged flooding occurs every month during the full moon and new moon and the residents are understandably upset,” said Brick Township Mayor John G. Ducey. “Regardless of the factors causing this flooding, we have an obligation to do what we can to address and mitigate the problem and help protect the quality of life for our residents.”

“Normandy Beach is a barrier island neighborhood that spans the border between Brick and Toms River Township, and this project is a great example of two communities coming together to solve a common problem,” said Toms River Township Maurice Mayor “Mo” Hill. “While this project will not stop all flooding, such as larger more intense storms like Superstorm Sandy, it will help minimize the frequency and depth of flooding during lesser intense storms and certain high tide events.”

The proposed project will elevate the road surface on affected streets in the Normandy Beach section to alleviate flooding.

As part of the agreement, Toms River will prepare and submit a joint application to the New Jersey Department of Transportation for 2021 funding for street elevation projects in Brick Township. Brick Township will look for additional funding opportunities and apply to any that are identified.

The design of the project and the construction estimate will be prepared by one of Tom River’s engineering pool firms. Brick will have final review of plans before they are finalized. The cost of these services will be distributed proportionately between the two municipalities according to the total disturbed area in each community.

Toms River will be responsible for seeking bids and awarding the contract for the project.

The shared services agreement will go into effect on June 1, 2020 and is contingent upon being awarded NJDOT funds. The agreement will expire upon final acceptance of the project by the NJDOT.