NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell today was joined by Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for Infrastructure Joseph Threat and Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) General Superintendent Ron Spooner to celebrate the completion of a $6.4 million roadwork project in West End. Today’s ribbon cutting ceremony is a testament to the Cantrell Administration’s continued commitment to improving the City’s aging infrastructure.
“Today, we’re celebrating improvements in the heart of Lakeview in the West End neighborhood,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “This is complicated work, and it’s not painless, but with every project, we’re working to ease the burden on residents every step of the way. My administration remains focused on getting the work done. Please continue to be patient as we turn this corner towards progress. The whole country is watching how we’re addressing our infrastructure, and we should be proud of that.”
The scope of work includes repaving the asphalt roadway, repairing damaged sidewalks and driveway aprons, installing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant curb ramps at intersections and replacing and repairing damaged underground water, sewer and drainage lines.
“First, I want to thank the hardworking men and women – the engineers, designers, construction team, Roadwork NOLA, City project manager, SWBNO and everyone involved,” said Threat. “This is only one project of the 152 we have completed as part of the Joint Infrastructure Recovery Response (JIRR) Program. It’s seldom that a city receives $2 billion to fix their roads, and we’re being intentional about spending this money with the least impact to neighborhoods. We’re committed to the quality of work, creating safer environments and leaving neighborhoods better than when we came in.”
These projects were funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and are part of the City’s JIRR program in partnership with the SWBNO. The West End Group B project represents an over $2 million investment by SWBNO and included 10 blocks of new water mains and eight blocks of sewer lines.
“Today, we stand with our partners and neighbors to applaud another completed joint infrastructure reconstruction project,” said Spooner. “We are always proud to collaborate with the City of New Orleans to prioritize proactive replacement when it comes to our aging infrastructure. As always, these JIRR Program efforts further our commitment to infrastructure resiliency and reliability.”
Since May 2018, the Department of Public Works (DPW) has completed 152 projects with an estimated value of $568 million. Currently, the DPW is continuing citywide construction on 52 roadwork projects with an estimated value of $561 million.
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