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Fairfield Considers Raising Pine Creek Dike By Three Feet

FAIRFIELD, Conn. - To better fortify the neighborhood to protect against future storms and flooding after Superstorm Sandy in October 2012, the town of Fairfield is considering a $2.16 million project to raise the elevation of the Pine Creek dike.

From left, Kevin Coyner and Fairfield Public Works Director Joseph Michelangelo attend the April Flood & Erosion Control Board meeting on Wednesday, April 16.

From left, Kevin Coyner and Fairfield Public Works Director Joseph Michelangelo attend the April Flood & Erosion Control Board meeting on Wednesday, April 16.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Project managers discussed raising the dike by 3 feet at a recent Flood & Erosion Control board meeting. Doing so would provide the Pine Creek and surrounding neighborhoods protection from 100-year storms on the south side of the creek, and 100-year stillwater elevation on the east side, according to a presentation made by Public Works Director Joseph Michelangelo and Jonathan Richer of the engineering firm Tighe & Bond Inc.

Pine Creek resident Kevin Coyner, a Democratic candidate for the 132nd State House District, said the protection that elevating the dike could provide is valuable – especially to those who experienced damaging flooding from previous storms. But the project would alter residents’ view, aesthetics and usability of property located on the dike.

The suggestion to raise the dike by 3 feet falls shy of the Federal Emergency Management Administration’s standards of a 17-foot elevation, which would mean raising the existing dike by 4.5 feet on the south side and 7.5 feet on the east side.

Project managers, who said raising the dike to meet FEMA’s criteria would be too much of a change for residents, said the proposal to raise the dike 3 feet would be an improvement in safety even though there would be no guarantee that flood insurance rates would be reduced.

While the project would cost $2.16 million, federal funding would probably be available and Fairfield’s share of the cost would be close to $600,000. The project is still in the preliminary stages of planning, officials said.

“It would be reasonable to look at other alternatives, like a breakwater in the [Long Island] Sound or an extension of a jetty off the end of Fairfield Beach Road. Whatever is decided should provide a balance between additional flood protection and existing land use,” Coyner said.

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