NEW ORLEANS, La. – Today, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) hosted a Paths to Progress groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of repairs to City Park Avenue and Esplanade Avenue. The ceremony was held at Our Lady of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, where DOTD Secretary Sherri H. LeBas, was joined by state and local officials.
"DOTD is excited to continue the good work that has been established through Paths to Progress with the kick-off of the City Park Avenue and Esplanade Avenue projects," said DOTD Secretary LeBas. "It is our ongoing commitment to the citizens of New Orleans to provide quality transportation projects that create smoother, safer roadways for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists alike."
The projects include resurfacing, repairing curbs and installing ADA-compliant accessible ramps. In addition, Esplanade Avenue from Moss Street to N. Claiborne Avenue will be restriped as one travel lane in both directions with a bicycle lane and parking lane.
The following street segments are included for repair:
City Park Avenue (Canal Street – Orleans Avenue)
Esplanade Avenue (Moss Street - N. Claiborne Avenue)
The project was awarded to Barriere Construction at an investment of approximately $5 million dollars. Construction is estimated to be complete in summer 2013.
"The improvements to City Park and Esplanade Avenue will greatly enhance the safety and quality of life for the community, residents and businesses in this area," said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
"We look forward to the benefits these improvements will bring to the City of New Orleans," said Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Walter Brooks.
"The Paths to Progress program is a testament of our continued commitment to this area by creating smoother and safer roadways, and more efficient travel," said Federal Highway Administration Project Delivery Team Leader, Carl Highsmith.
These upcoming roadway repairs come at the heels of the successful repaving and sidewalk improvements of eight French Quarter streets completed prior to the Super Bowl. In addition to the $11.3 million Paths to Progress French Quarter street segments, DOTD led numerous other construction, maintenance and beautification projects in preparation for the big event. This included upgrading fencing and landscaping along the I-10 corridor, painting the I-10/Mounes railroad underpass, refurbishing landscaping on I-10 between the Veterans overpass and the airport, and refurbishing existing landscaping and resurfacing Airport Access Road.
Additionally, through the state’s successful project management of Paths to Progress, savings were realized that will allow the City of New Orleans to further the progress made in the area.
Paths to Progress is a transportation improvement program to rehabilitate, restore and enhance more than 60 roadway segments in Orleans and Jefferson parishes. With a combined investment of over $90 million, Paths to Progress is a collaborative effort between the Federal Highway Administration, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, New Orleans Regional Planning Commission and City of New Orleans.
To contact Paths to Progress please call 1-800-574-7193 or email paths2progress@gmail.com , visit www.pavingLAroads.com, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paths2progress or follow us on Twitter at @paths2progress.