Legal Question in Civil Litigation in New Jersey

State Highway 57 Drainage

I have a drainage ditch that runs through my property with run off water that is being diverted from NJ State Highway 57. This runoff water is destroying my property, which is all eroding and washing down to the nearest creek. I now have a 4-5 foot wide, 3-4 foot deep trench through my property that this has caused, and it is now 10 feet from my house. I fear that my children, or any other children will get caught up in this ditch and will get killed. I have contacted the NJ DOT on this issue many times to no avail. I have complained to Franklin Township in which I live and they are just ignoring my pleas also. There are multiple land owners that surrond my home that are diverting their water from their properties to mine, and the township will not step in to help, because many of the town board members are good personal friends with the people that are involved. I have made many attempts to have this issue resolved, but neither the NJ DOT, nor Franklin Township will do anything to get this resolved. The town engineer stated to me 2 years ago that there are funds and plans in place to pipe this ditch, but now they tell me that it may not happen. Please help before a child drowns in this ditch or my home washes down to the creek.


Asked on 4/24/07, 7:49 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Locksley Wade Law Office of Locksley O. Wade

Re: State Highway 57 Drainage

This may be a case of a government taking that is not allowed under the U.S. and N.J. State constitution. Call my office and I may be able to assist you with a more detailed answer.

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Answered on 4/24/07, 11:43 am


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