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DOTD presents seven recommended flood-control projects totaling over $83 million in estimated benefits
Summary
Lucas Johnson, program manager for the Statewide Flood Control program at DOTD, told the Joint Transportation Committee on March 17 the department’s recommended construction program includes seven projects that together provide more than $83 million in estimated flood-damage reduction benefits.
Lucas Johnson, program manager for the Statewide Flood Control program, presented the recommended construction program to the Joint Transportation Committee on March 17 and said the department’s list includes seven projects, five of which were newly recommended in the most recent application cycle.
Johnson told the committee the recommended projects include work from rural and urban programs, and that the seven projects will provide more than $83 million in flood-damage reduction benefits upon completion. He said, to date, 133 projects have been completed under the program and that total expenditures exceed $313 million with an estimated $3 billion in flood-damage reduction benefits from completed work.
Local officials and mayors spoke in support. Leroy Sullivan, mayor of Donaldsonville, described two projects his city submitted: the Bunhood and Country Village drainage improvement project (approximately $4.15 million) and a $2.6 million Loop 945 drainage improvement tied to Louisiana Highway 945. Sullivan said those projects address recurring flooding that can prevent residents from leaving homes and that school buses have difficulty serving certain streets in heavy rainfall.
Randy Clouet (phonetic), representing the Pontchartrain Levee District, thanked DOTD and cited regional projects, including the Perkins Road bridge upgrade and the LA 22 gap project that affect multiple parishes. Committee members and local speakers emphasized regional cooperation on flood issues.
DOTD presented the program information and answered technical questions; the committee received the presentation as information only. Johnson said the detailed program sheet in the committee packet contains project locations and estimated benefits.
