HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – The Hunterdon County Commissioner Board recently approved a resolution to authorize the Department of Public Safety to apply for a $2.6 million grant from FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program for Fiscal Year 2024.
This funding is aimed at addressing the recurring flooding issues at the Wescott Drive (CR-600) and Sand Hill Road (CR-612) intersection, which have caused significant disruptions and safety concerns for the community during heavy rainfall events.
Commissioner and liaison to the Public Safety Department, Zach Rich said, “Securing this grant is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents. The repeated flooding at this intersection has not only caused extensive damage but also forced traffic and emergency responders to take alternative routes, delaying emergency response times.”
The intersection at Wescott Drive and Sand Hill Road is an essential entry point to the Hunterdon Medical Center campus and the Emergency Room. Most patients and ambulances that enter the campus from the northern part of the county come through this intersection. Grant funding will be utilized to mitigate the repeated flooding at this intersection and prevent embankment damage, while reducing extensive erosion to the ditches as areas around the culvert.
Director for the Public Safety Department, Brayden Fahey addressed the Commissioner Board during the meeting, “The Public Safety Department is committed to this opportunity to seek federal assistance, so that the effect on patient care may be reduced. Blocked intersections such as this one can add unnecessary pressure on patients, the medical center, and the first responders addressing the patient’s needs. We are enthusiastic about leading this project to support the members of our community, Hunterdon Healthcare, and the Hunterdon Medical Center.”
“The Public Safety Department has successfully used FEMA Public Assistance funding in the past to cover emergency repairs to this intersection. However, addressing the underlying causes of damage requires a more comprehensive approach. This BRIC grant will enable us to implement long-term solutions, reducing erosion and embankment damage while enhancing the resilience of our infrastructure,” Commissioner Director John Lanza said.
