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Transportation department warns new revenue likely needed; $29M Wards Creek project advancing
Summary
The Transportation & Drainage director told council cuts will reduce staff from 108 to about 68 in some units, slow sign and striping work, and that while federal grants have funded stormwater projects, a new revenue source will be necessary to sustain maintenance; he highlighted a $29M grant for Wards Creek realignment.
Fred (Mr. Raiford), speaking for Transportation & Drainage, told council the unit will eliminate a number of positions (noting about 11 frozen positions currently and 40 previously frozen positions that will be eliminated in departmental totals) and expects a staff reduction that in some units moves from 108 to roughly 68 positions. He cautioned that sign manufacturing and replacement will slow and that lower‑priority traffic engineering requests and studies will take longer.
Raiford stressed that critical safety elements remain priorities: traffic control and school‑zone signs, signal maintenance and critical intersections will continue to be addressed. He said overnight monitoring of signals will be reduced but not discontinued and that emergency call‑outs will be limited to critical intersections.
On funding for drainage and larger stormwater projects, Raiford said the department has secured federal grants and INFA funding for several projects and has submitted seven projects to capital outlay. He highlighted a recently approved $29 million award for Wards Creek realignment and channel improvements in Manchac and said the project will be on the council agenda for consultant selection and next steps when OCD (Office of Community Development) approvals finalize.
Raiford told council he does not yet have a fully formed plan for a new revenue source but said one will be necessary to maintain and expand drainage maintenance: "We're going to need a new revenue source, guys. I mean, that's a fact." He also said the City of Saint George has taken on maintenance responsibilities for some residential areas within its boundaries, while the parish is negotiating responsibilities for major corridors and connectivity that cross jurisdictional lines.
