Council accepts low bid for Roosevelt Boulevard reconstruction; project likely to affect median trees and underground drain line

Kenner City Council on June 30 approved an award of $6,325,244.15 to Command Construction Industries LLC for the complete reconstruction of Roosevelt Boulevard from West Metairie Avenue to West Napoleon Avenue, a federally aided state project administered by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD).

Department of Public Works staff explained the project has been under development for roughly three-and-a-half years. The DOTD administered the federal-aid process and opened the project to competitive bids; staff reported 11 bidders and said Command Construction submitted the lowest responsive bid. After the council vote the city's next step is to send the award to Baton Rouge for instructions that will allow the city to issue a notice to proceed, with construction anticipated to begin in August.

Staff and council members raised the project’s impact on the landscaped median and the existing street trees. A council member noted the median likely needs to be raised for roadway reconstruction, which would cover tree roots and likely kill many of the median trees; staff confirmed the trees are among the reasons extensive work and repair costs are required. Public-works staff also said a large trunk drain line serving adjacent neighborhoods runs under the median; the reconstruction will include repairs to that drain line.

The council also approved associated professional services with Digital Engineering and Imaging Incorporated for $705,620 to support the reconstruction project. Staff thanked state representatives and local legislators for support in advancing the federal-aid application and funding.

Direct quote: "The trees are the reason why we are having to repair Roosevelt at a price of $6,000,000," a council member said during discussion of the award, adding that the median modifications will likely remove or damage trees.

The ordinances (summary ordinances 13,863 and 13,864) passed unanimously, 6-0. Staff said the project includes median reconstruction and drain-line repairs, that DOTD will provide next steps for construction and that the schedule anticipates an August start once state instructions are received.

Ending: The award advances a long-planned reconstruction project; staff will coordinate with DOTD to issue a notice to proceed and begin construction activities.