CHALMETTE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) broke ground today on Jean Lafitte Parkway – the first project in St. Bernard Parish to repair hurricane-damaged roads under the Submerged Roads Program.
The program, which is 100-percent funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is restoring roads damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes.
"St. Bernard Parish was one of the hardest hit by the storm, and the damage was extensive on Jean Lafitte Parkway," said DOTD Assistant Secretary of Operations Connie Standige. "This road is just the start. We are looking forward to repairing seven more roads in St. Bernard under the program."
Along with Standige, FHWA Project Delivery Team Leader Carl Highsmith, New Orleans Regional Planning Commission (NORPC) Executive Director Walter Brooks, State Representative Nita Rusich Hutter, St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro and St. Bernard Parish Councilman Ray Lauga gave remarks during the ceremony.
Boh Bros. Construction Co. is the contractor for the $3.2 million project. The project will repair and resurface a 1.7-mile segment of Jean Lafitte Parkway from La. 46 to the Florida Walk Canal. In addition, the project will resurface 0.64 miles of Patricia Street from Jean Lafitte Parkway to Cougar Drive. Construction is anticipated to be complete in spring 2010.
To improve efficiency and lessen the disruption to drivers, DOTD coordinated with parish officials, the NORPC and the FHWA to include a portion of a major drainage project simultaneously with repairs to Jean Lafitte.
The South Louisiana Submerged Roads Program is 100-percent funded through the Emergency Relief Program of the Federal Highway Administration. Phase A of the program includes more than 50 street projects in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes with an investment of more than $100 million.
For more information regarding the South Louisiana Submerged Roads Program, please visit www.pavinglaroads.com or call the public information line at 1-800-574-7193.