Comite River Diversion flood management project alignment requires permanent closure of Barnett Road segment in East Baton Rouge Parish
Excavation of Channel Segment 1 requires removal of the roadway between U.S. Highway 61 and Carney Road.
New Orleans- Beginning April 15, 2024, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District will permanently close the section of Barnett Road between U.S. Hwy 61 and Carney Road near Zachary, La. to begin construction of the Comite River Diversion Channel Segment #1 in that area.
The Comite River Diversion is an urban flood risk management project that connects the Comite River to the Mississippi River via a 12-mile diversion channel. Once completed, the diversion will reduce the risk of rain and river flooding by diverting water to reduce Comite River levels before its confluence with the Amite River. Channel Segment #1 is an approximately 1.33 mile reach of the diversion between U.S. Hwy 61 and Bayou Baton Rouge.
Construction of the Comite River Diversion is funded by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 and is undertaken in partnership with the State of Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. In addition to the 12-mile channel, the project will consist of control structures at the Comite River and Lily Bayou, five vehicular bridges, two railroad bridges and rock chutes at the confluence of the diversion and White Bayou, Cypress Bayou and Bayou Baton Rouge. During peak operation, the channel will divert up to 30,000 cubic feet per second.
No parking of personal vehicles within the construction zone is permitted.
For more information on the Comite River Diversion project:
- Construction Hotline: (877) 427-0345
###
Release no. 24-020