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US Army Corps, DOTD say Comite River Diversion contracts awarded and work is underway
Summary
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development told a legislative task force that all Corps contracts for the Comite River Diversion have been awarded and most are under way, while DOTD described bridge work and remaining right‑of‑way steps.
Senator Hodges convened the Comey (Comite) Diversion Canal task force to press federal and state partners on delays and next steps for a project intended to reduce flood risk in the greater Baton Rouge area. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said contracting milestones have been reached and crews are mobilized across the 12‑mile diversion.
"We have awarded all the contracts on this project," Colonel Scotty Oten, commander of the New Orleans District, told the task force, adding that 13 of 20 Corps‑led contracts are complete and the remaining seven are under construction. Oten said a protest tied to the diversion‑structure award was resolved and the contractor is working on site.
DOTD officials described progress on highway and rail bridges that are part of the program. DOTD said LA 67 and LA 964 are effectively closed out and that work on LA 19 is under way; one DOTD representative said LA 19 bridge work began in May and is scheduled for completion in 2027. DOTD staff also said 56 of 63 utility relocations are complete and that Brooks Lake acquisitions include five fee parcels and 24 servitudes in active acquisition.
Task force members pressed both agencies on enforcement and productivity when contractors appear inactive. Oten described Corps construction control representatives, daily inspection journals and periodic contractor performance reports (CPARS) that feed federal acquisition reviews. "If they get a negative CPARS rating from us, they will never see federal work again," the colonel said, explaining the system that can influence contractor incentives.
Officials acknowledged the project has built‑in float days and complex sequencing — especially where utility relocations or temporary access must occur before certain construction activities can proceed. DOTD and Corps officials said they are open to alternative procurement strategies, such as shared savings or A+B bidding, to accelerate delivery where feasible.
The task force asked the agencies to pursue opportunities to compress schedules and to keep the committee apprised of any earned early‑completion incentives or liquidated‑damages assessments. The meeting closed with members scheduling follow up on specific segments and a request that agency leads host on‑site visits so legislators can see progress firsthand.
