Stamford receives $2.7M to upgrade hurricane protection barrier and pump stations

The City of Stamford has received a $2.73 million Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to finance the upgrade of the municipal hurricane protection barrier and pump stations.

The Stamford Hurricane Barrier is over 2 miles long and consists of a 4,000-foot concrete floodwall, a 3,600-foot rock-faced earthen dike with a 90-foot gated opening across the East Branch of Stamford Harbor, and a 4,400-foot dike in the Westcott Cove area. There are three storm water pump stations and an East Branch pump station/navigation gate as part of the barrier.

The federal funds will be used to provide emergency power generators for the pump stations and to replace and upgrade the aging pumps and electrical equipment for compliance with current building codes.

“The Stamford Hurricane Barrier provides critical protection against hurricanes to 600 acres across the city,” said Mayor Caroline Simmons, adding that the new funding will “ensure our critical infrastructure is upgraded and up-to-code and it will enhance our protection and resiliency against storms.”

Photo: Mayor Caroline Simmons (center) at an inspection tour of one of the city’s pumping stations