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Comite River Diversion Canal mostly complete in sections; final contracts and pipeline conflicts remain
Summary
Commission staff reported that seven of 13 segments of the Comite River Diversion Canal are about 95% complete, with one segment roughly 70% complete; five final contracts remain to be let, and some awards depend on resolving utility relocations with Florida Gas and DOTD.
Commission Executive Director Paul Sawyer told the Amite River Basin Commission that construction on the Comite River Diversion Canal is substantially complete in most reaches but that remaining contracts and utility conflicts must be resolved before the final work can proceed.
“Of the 13 areas of the Comite River Diversion Canal ... 7 of those areas are 95% complete,” Sawyer said. He told commissioners that one reach is approximately 70% complete and that the Army Corps of Engineers has attempted to let the final five contracts this year. That group of contracts includes Channel Reach 2B — between Highway 19 and Highway 964 — which Sawyer said is contingent on completing required utility relocations and agreements with DOTD and Florida Gas.
Why it matters: The canal is intended to move runoff into a diversion system to reduce flood risk. Staff said a portion of the remaining work depends on clearing utility conflicts and obtaining rights of entry; Sawyer said DOTD has completed 85 of 89 property acquisitions for the project and that several bridge projects are at varying stages: Highway 964 and the Highway 67 Plank Road bridges are complete, and Highway 19 bridge work has started with test piles and an adjacent bypass road completed.
Sawyer said officials expect to award certain remaining contracts before the end of the year if utility relocations and rights-of-entry arrangements are finalized. He also reported ongoing coordination with stakeholders on temporary parcels for clearing and snagging on adjacent bayous and that some work remains on the Brooks Lake closure and diversion control structure to allow connections to the Mississippi River.
The commission recorded the report as informational; no formal action was taken on the canal status during the meeting. Staff said they will continue to provide updates and will distribute a one-page project map to the public.
Ending: Commission staff will continue coordination with the Corps, DOTD, Florida Gas and other stakeholders to resolve utility relocations and right-of-entry issues so remaining contracts may be awarded and completed.
