NEW ORLEANS - Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, the City of Carencro, Senator Vitter’s office, Congressman Boustany’s office, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, and other stakeholders and partners attended a ground breaking ceremony to recognize the start of construction on the City of Carencro, Continuing Authorities Program (CAP) Section 205 flood risk reduction project. When complete in January 2015, this project will improve drainage in the Beau Bassin Coulee area and provide flood risk reduction for the City of Carencro.
"South Louisiana is no stranger to flooding. Unfortunately, what we experienced in Carencro in March of 2012 was a sad reminder of the devastation Mother Nature can deliver on our communities. That’s why this project is so important to the people of South Louisiana. It protects residents from rising flood waters destroying their homes and small businesses. However, the groundbreaking ceremony today can be attributed to the hard work and leadership of many community leaders such as Mayor Brasseaux of Carencro in conjunction with Colonel Hansen and Colonel Fleming at the Army Corps of Engineers. I am proud of this project and look forward to its completion," said U.S. Congressman Charles Boustany.
"DOTD is honored to partner with the Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Carencro on the initiation of the first phase of the Beau Bassin Coulee flood risk reduction project," said DOTD Chief of Staff Shawn Wilson. "This project serves as a great example of what can be accomplished through partnership."
"This project will help with flooding issues along this major drainage canal and help with drainage issues in a large majority of our community," said City of Carencro Mayor Glenn Brasseaux. "In addition to the City of Carencro taxpayers, I have several agencies to thank for coming together to make this important project happen: the Lafayette Consolidated Government, Louisiana Statewide Flood Control, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, along with elected officials from the City of Carencro, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana Senators and Representatives, and our Congressional delegation," said City of Carencro Mayor Glenn Brasseaux.
The Corps of Engineers has worked in partnership with the City of Carencro through the Continuing Authorities Program (CAP), Section 205 to design and construct this project. The CAP program allows the Corps to assist its local partners and stakeholders with identifying and resolving small-scale water management issues without having to request authorization and appropriations from Congress.
"The City of Carencro Section 205 flood risk reduction project is critical to reducing flood risks for residences and businesses in this community. The Corps appreciates the ongoing support from its partners, especially the City of Carencro, in seeing this project through to construction," said Col. Richard Hansen, Commander of the New Orleans District.
Construction of Phase I of the project includes the excavation of a detention pond, construction of concrete slope paving, clearing and grubbing, and installation of erosion protection measures, and is anticipated to be complete in April 2014. The contract for Phase II of the project is projected to be awarded in early 2014. The entire project, when complete, will consist of a retention pond, erosion control measures, and clearing, grubbing and dressing of approximately 11,000 feet of Beau Bassin Coulee.