NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District awarded a $9 million contract on Monday, Sept. 28 for enlargement of approximately one mile of levee and replacement of a floodwall in St. Charles Parish. The enlarged levee and floodwall will further reduce risk for residences and businesses in the area from a storm that has a one percent chance of occurring each year.
“This levee reach, stretching from Cross Bayou to St. Rose, will be constructed to an elevation of 16.5 feet with enlarged berms,” said Brad Drouant, project manager. “The contract award also includes the construction and replacement of 450 feet of floodwall at the Gulf South pipeline crossing.”
The contract was awarded to Buck Town Contractors & Co., of Harvey, LA, through the Corps’ small business program. The levee construction will begin in October 2009 and the floodwall construction will begin in December 2009 after the end of this hurricane season. Construction is expected to be complete by winter 2010.
The risk reduction alignment is located on the north side of Airline Hwy, and reduces risk for communities in St. Rose, Destrehan, Norco and other areas on the east bank of St. Charles Parish. The Corps is sharing project responsibilities with its non-federal partners, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and the Pontchartrain Levee District.
Release no. 09-041