"The needs are great in our city,” Cantrell said. “We have been very much concerned about flooding in areas of Mid-City that we're seeing due to increased rainfall, but at the same time the need for drainage improvements and overall infrastructure in Mid-City, and of course across the City of New Orleans.”
The scope of the project, which features $600,000 worth of waterline replacements by the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO), also includes:
- Approximately 193 blocks and 52 streets
- Patching the roadway with asphalt or concrete
- Repairing damaged curbs and gutters
- Repairing damaged sidewalks and driveway aprons
- Installing Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps at intersections
- Replacing/repairing damaged underground water, sewer and/or drainage lines
Hard Rock Construction, LLC and Infinity Engineering Consultants will serve as the contractors on the project.
Mayor Cantrell was joined by Deputy CAO for Infrastructure Ramsey Green and SWBNO Executive Director Ghassan Korban. Green also underscored the importance of green infrastructure work currently underway.
"We're using the best science and expertise to build projects that hold water and relieve pressure on our drainage system," Green said. "Not too far from here, the $7-million Hagan Lafitte Project is well underway and includes upsized drainage as well as underground storage tanks beneath Easton Park that will hold 1.2 million gallons of water."
Also, Green noted, the city recently received FEMA approval on the City Park Storm Water Improvements that include a system of new weirs that, when complete, will store up to 49 million gallons of storm water. Construction also is underway on the $15-million Pontilly Storm Water network, which includes bioswales, pervious surfacing and features that will hold 8.9 million gallons of water.
The work is part of the Joint Infrastructure Recovery Response (JIRR) Program, which is implementing an unprecedented $2.2-billion Capital Improvement Program to restore New Orleans' aging infrastructure. The city has now completed nine projects in the JIRR Program worth about $25 million and has 12 projects under construction worth another $80 million. There will be approximately $40 million in projects kicking off in the next 90 days.
