NEW ORLEANS, LA — Mayor LaToya Cantrell recently joined officials and partners in marking the completion of the South Galvez Street Infrastructure Project. The project, which cost $5.4 million to complete, runs from Toledano Street to Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. It was designed in accordance with the City of New Orleans’ Complete Streets policy, which accommodates and encourages travel for all users in a balanced, responsible and equitable manner consistent with, and supportive of, the surrounding community.

"The residents in this area needed to see that they are valued, they're respected and we're wanting to make the investment in where they live, and that means we are investing in the people in our city," Cantrell said. "The City of New Orleans will remain focused on this area as it relates to housing improvements, blight, overgrown vacant lots and the commercial corridors that align this community as well."

"The South Galvez Street project would not have been possible without a great partnership between the City of New Orleans and the Sewerage and Water Board. You're going to see a lot less flooding in this area, and that is a really meaningful thing to see in our infrastructure," said Ramsey Green, Deputy CAO for Infrastructure. "This is a big win today."

"I continue to be impressed with the sense of collaboration among the government entities that were involved with this project. That's how good things happen and how good government should function," said Ghassan Korban, Sewerage and Water Board Executive Director. 

Funding was provided by a community development block grant, FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the Sewerage and Water Board. The work was designed by Meyer Engineers, LDT, and built by Command Construction Industries, LLC.

The scope of the work featured a full reconstruction of the roadway, including replacing the existing sewer, water and drainage lines; widening the neutral ground; narrowing the roadway from 35 feet to 26 feet; and reconfiguring the roadway from two travel lanes and one parking lane to one travel lane, one dedicated bicycle lane and one parking lane.

The project was hailed for its potential to bring improvements to an often-overlooked part of the historic Central City neighborhood. It’s an area that is primed for development and investment, including the potential for housing opportunities. There are four future projects worth approximately $30 million that are a part of the $2-billion Joint Infrastructure Program in Central City, and that will include full reconstruction work, as well as patch, mill and overlay work.