Port commission hears contractor progress reports on northern expansion, airport projects and breakwater repairs
Summary
Contractors reported steady progress on the northern expansion slip, fuel system rehabilitation at the airport is essentially complete, and breakwater repairs and Fouchon Beach work are nearing final stages; commissioners asked for updated schedules and pending FEMA and equipment deliveries remain outstanding.
Contractors and staff briefed the Greater Lafourche Port Commission on multiple capital projects, reporting steady progress on the northern expansion slip, near-completion of breakwater repairs, ongoing work on the new FBO terminal and hangar replacements, and completion items remaining on the airport fuel system rehabilitation.
Why it matters: Several projects involve federally funded or disaster-recovery-related work and marine infrastructure that affect navigation, public access and Port operational capacity. Commissioners pressed for updated delivery schedules and noted outstanding punch-list items that could affect final completion dates.
John Pleysons of GIS Engineering said the Northern Expansion Slip contract, with Dynamic Group as contractor, is progressing "very well." He reported the contractor has installed all the steel sheet piles, about 80% of the concrete piles, and slightly more than half of the dead men; Pleysons said the contractor expects to finish in November "pretty much on time." Commissioners asked for no further details in the public session.
Airport operations figures were reported by port staff as among the highest year-to-date: 1,766 aircraft operations, 9,928 passengers and 23,735 vehicles visiting the airport in the most recent month reported. Staff did not provide additional breakdowns by commercial, general aviation or cargo in the meeting record.
Work on the Airport Connector Road was described as proceeding slowly because of delayed machinery deliveries. Port staff said the contractor was completing site work, signage and electrical work while awaiting an updated machinery delivery schedule; staff said they expected that schedule update later in the week or early the following week.
Byron Talbot Construction — identified in the packet as the FBO Terminal contractor — is erecting roof trusses and beginning to wrap the building, staff said. The airport hangar replacement contractor has the building exterior wrapped and is working on interior finishes.
The airport fuel system rehabilitation is online, and staff said the project is "essentially complete" with a few punch-list items remaining; a substantial-completion certificate for that project was considered later on the agenda.
Breakwater repairs contracted to Rigid were described as nearing completion. Staff reported two barges in port to offload and three more en route; weather permitting, the contractor expects to finish soon. For Fouchon Beach restoration, staff said the onshore contractor has staged equipment and materials and that the Port expects to issue a notice to proceed in about a week pending completion of one FEMA checklist.
Discussion vs. action: Most of the project material presented was informational. The construction and development committee later moved a recommendation related to the fuel system substantial-completion certificate; that formal action and other votes appear in the commission's recorded motions.
The meeting record does not provide precise contract completion dates beyond the November estimate for the northern expansion slip, nor does it specify retained amounts or warranty timelines in public remarks.
Looking ahead: Staff indicated they will seek updated contractor schedules for the Airport Connector Road and will complete the remaining punch-list work on the fuel system; the Fouchon Beach notice to proceed remains contingent on the outstanding FEMA checklist.
