VOLUME XIV, NUMBER 5

A LONG AND DIFFICULT PROCESS

The Green Brook Flood Control Commission has been working to achieve flood protection for the people and property in the Green Brook basin for a long time.
Many times it has seemed that it could never be done. But the Commission has never given up.
With the backing and support of the municipalities and the three counties (Middlesex, Somerset and Union) who formed the Commission back in 1973, the Commission has been determined to overcome the many obstacles which have come along.

NOW: A MAJOR MILESTONE

Early this year, Congressman Bob Franks called the Commanding Officer of the Federal Engineers (New York District of the Corps of Engineers) to his office. "Bring me a schedule of exactly when you will advertise for the first construction contract to begin construction in Bound Brook."
They did. And their schedule showed that the first construction contract would be advertised for bids in August 2000, and awarded in September this year.
It worked. On the reverse side is the advertisement for the first construction contract.
Bids will be opened on September 5, 2000. And an award will be made before the end of September 2000.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

A number of steps must follow. But there is every reason to expect that the bulldozers and the work crews will be on the job before the end of the year.
The first piece of the job will be to replace the existing bridge which connects East Main Street (Bound Brook) with Lincoln Boulevard (Middlesex Borough). A new and higher bridge over the Green Brook will be built, and a temporary rented bridge will carry traffic until the new bridge is completed.

WHAT COMES AFTER THAT?

Meantime, plans and specifications are being finalized for the next construction contract.
That next construction will provide higher earthen banks (called levees) along the Green Brook to keep flood waters out of the eastern end of Bound Brook Borough.
And it will include a large pumping station built in to the levee so that the rain which falls in that section of Bound Brook will be collected and pumped out, over the levee, in to the Green Brook.
This second construction contract is expected to get underway some time during 2001.

WHO GETS THE CREDIT FOR THIS?

The credit for this real beginning of protection for the people and property of the Green Brook basin belongs to lots of people.
First and foremost, it belongs to the elected leaders of the municipalities and counties of the Green Brook basin. These elected leaders, past and present, formed the Green Brook Flood Control Commission.
And they have continued to support the work of the Commission through thick and thin.
They wisely recognized that it could never happen without the support of the key people in Trenton and Washington who must supply the bulk of the money.

IT COULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THEM

Fortunately, the determined leaders who represent our area in Trenton and in Washington have always been there when they have been needed.
The people of the Green Brook basin owe our elected leaders in town halls, in County government, in Trenton and in Washington, a tremendous debt of gratitude.

VERNON A. NOBLE, Chairman
111 GREENBOOK ROAD, GREEN BROOK, NEW JERSEY  08812 * (732) 968-2018