Residents in Sussex and Sussex Corner will get a better idea this week of the flood mitigation measures being proposed.
A public meeting will be held Wednesday evening to present the findings of the flood mitigation master plan for the two communities.
Scott Hatcher, chief administrative officer for the town of Sussex, said residents will see the recommended flood mitigation projects, along with the anticipated return on investment.
“If we invested a certain amount of money, how much return on investment would that mitigate the damage for. In other words, what would be the total savings over the life of the project,” Hatcher said in an interview Monday.
The two communities first presented their analysis of the plan in late 2020, but Hatcher said COVID-19 prevented many people from being able to take part.
A 39-page report from R.V. Anderson Associates Limited outlined six potential projects as “high priorities” to mitigate the flooding within the two communities, with a potential cost at the time of $24.3 million.
One of those projects, a flood berm along the Kennebecasis River behind Gateway Mall, has already been completed.
The plan also called for a berm between Trout Creek and Main Street downtown, extending from Maple Avenue to the junction of Ward Creek and Trout Creek in Sussex.
It also suggested stormwater infrastructure upgrades in two subdivisions in Sussex Corner, located at Main Street and Creighton Drive, and Post Road and Meredith Drive.
But the most extensive — and expensive — projects proposed were a pair of diversion channels. One would divert flood flows from Trout Creek directly to the Kennebecasis River, another from Parsons Brook to Trout Creek.
“The solutions have been refined,” Hatcher said of what will be presented to community members this week.
It would take about five years to complete all of the projects at a cost of around $28 million, he said.
Following this week’s meeting, Hatcher said the documents will be posted online, along with a survey for residents to provide feedback. The next step, he said, will be to secure the funding needed to implement the recommended solutions.
Wednesday’s meeting will take place at the Sussex Regional High School theatre at 6:30 p.m., with the doors opening at 6 p.m.
