In a long-awaited move to address the chronic flooding in Destrehan, the St. Charles Parish Council has officially given the green light to a $10 million drainage improvement project, as reported by the St. Charles Parish government's news page. President Matthew Jewell announced the bid's acceptance yesterday, noting that the project will rectify insufficient subsurface capacity under the CN Railway, which has plagued the area with water woes for over four decades.
Residents and businesses have long suffered the impacts of an inadequate drainage system, some experiencing up to three flooding incidents within just 18 months, and now the local government is set to begin a 12-month construction period within this year aiming to enhance the flow of stormwater during severe weather events, especially concerning is the Destrehan No. 2 Pump Station's inability to properly manage the water flowing from south to north of the crossing.
"Relief is finally on the way for Destrehan residents who have endured repetitive flooding for more than forty years," President Jewell stated, expressing his pride over the progress made during his tenure, as described in the official release. The improvement plans will see the addition of culverts under the train tracks, which should significantly enhance drainage to the pump stations and, in turn, reduce flooding, the design catering for peak runoff from a 100-year storm scenario.
Funding efforts combine both federal and local sources, with $6,314,616 coming from HUD Community Development Block Grant Mitigation Funds through the Louisiana Watershed Initiative, and the remaining being covered by local coffers, BLD Services, LLC won the contract with a low bid of $10,542,425—with Barowka and Bonura Engineers and Consultants, LLC, providing the engineering expertise for the project that is hoped to alleviate the decades of flood distress experienced by the community.
