NEW ORLEANS –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, has completed the All Weather Access Road (AWAR) located on the flood side of the levee along Lake Pontchartrain from Kenner to Metairie. The project is a part of the Corps’ $14.5 Billion Hurricane Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS).
The road stretches from the West Return Floodwall in Kenner for approximately ten miles to the 17th Street Canal in Metairie. The road extends an additional 2.5 miles south along the West Return Floodwall from Lake Pontchartrain to just before I-10. It includes asphalt ramps at several locations providing access from the local residential streets. Bridges constructed across the discharge basins of the 4 Jefferson Parish pump stations provide a continuous path for the entire 10 miles.
The road was built to allow access to the flood side of the levee for inspections and maintenance by the East Jefferson Levee District and the Corps of Engineers.
The East Jefferson Levee District has chosen to allow the AWAR to be used for recreational purposes as well. All recreational users of the AWAR must yield to East Jefferson Levee District, State of Louisiana, and Corps of Engineer official vehicles in addition to emergency vehicles.
Release no. 14-011