On a crisp Monday, government officials and community representatives in St. Charles Parish came together to mark the finishing of the $11.9 million drainage upgrade at the Destrehan No. 2 Pump Station. The project is hailed as a vital defense against the Louisiana storms and a significant stride toward flood mitigation for local residents. Parish President Matthew Jewell and the Department of Public Works showcased the new features, which promise improved stormwater management and a safeguard for homes and businesses against the all-too-familiar threat of flooding, according to the St. Charles Parish.
During the celebratory event, attendees were given tours of the renovated pump station, illustrating the array of enhancements the facility has undergone. "These improvements will significantly enhance our ability to manage stormwater, reduce flood risks, and protect our homes and businesses during heavy rain events," Jewell stated in remarks obtained by St. Charles Parish's official website. Highlighting the upgrades' recent success, he added, "We've already seen the positive impact of these upgrades during Hurricane Francine, and we remain optimistic about the lasting benefits that future drainage improvements will bring to the area."
The two key components of this extensive project—the Dunleith Canal Hydraulic Bottleneck Correction and the pump station enhancement—were designed to complement one another, culminating in a reinforced system capable of withstanding heavy deluges. The bottleneck correction involved expanding the canal's cross section and bolstering its stability with sheet piling, while the pump station's revamp encompassed an expanded sump size, additional bar screens, and amplified pump capacity. These modifications now allow for an increased volume of water to be managed more effectively, as reported by the St. Charles Parish.
An expenditure breakdown shows that the bottleneck correction work, designed by Evans-Graves Engineers and carried out by Cycle Construction Company, amounted to just over $2.7 million. The extensive renovations at the Destrehan No. 2 Pump Station, envisioned by Picciola and Associates and brought to fruition by Sealevel Construction, accounted for the larger chunk of the budget at slightly more than $9.2 million, as per the St. Charles Parish. Timelines for both projects were notably efficient, with the bottleneck correction wrapping up in just over a year and the pump station overhaul finishing in just under the same.
