NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell today was joined by Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Infrastructure Joseph Threat, Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) Interim General Superintendent Ron Spooner, Director of Community Engagement for City Council District B Matthew Schoenberger and New Zion City Preservation Association President Chalantha Kiper to celebrate the completion of the $10.8 million, 15-block Central City Group A Roadway Project.
“This project in the heart of District B and Central City, where I served as a Councilwoman, demonstrates how our focus has always been on improving overall infrastructure,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “We will continue on this path of utilizing our federal resources in partnership with the Sewerage and Water Board and Department of Public Works. As we continue to make sure that we are adapting to the changing climate, we are putting these unprecedented federal dollars to work. The City of New Orleans is putting its best foot forward in doing these major infrastructure improvements, which we have some of the most happening in the country right now.”
The scope of work included replacing damaged underground water and drainage lines, repave the roadway, replacing damaged sidewalks and driveway aprons and installing Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps at intersections. The roadway has been re-surfaced with concrete and asphalt, and repairs were made to any damaged curbs, sidewalks and driveway aprons.
“We’ve got a lot of work left to do, but we have come a long way,” said Threat. “The ribbon cuttings on these projects give me a sense of accomplishment. Our workers have been coming out here in the heat every day to ensure the job gets done. We’re working very hard to make sure that every resident of the City of New Orleans gets the streets and rights-of-way improvements that they truly deserve through this federal funding. When this FEMA-funded project is finished, we will have completed 10,000 blocks across the city.”
The project was funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a part of the City’s Joint Infrastructure Recovery Response (JIRR) Program, in partnership with SWBNO, whose portion of the work is valued at $3 million.
“We have a great partnership with the City of New Orleans and Department of Public Works,” said Spooner. “The existing utilities had been constructed between 1907 and 1914, so we got our money’s worth out of our infrastructure for 116 years, which was probably too long. That’s why we need additional funding to come to the city, so we can continue this stride on upgrades to infrastructure and full reconstruction projects, replacing our sewer water and drainage system, to make this city whole.”
Since May 2018, there have been 39 roadwork projects completed, worth an estimated value of $125 million, in District B. This includes the completion of the $650K North Lopez Pedestrian Bridge on the Lafitte Greenway. Now, there are 16 roadwork projects currently under construction, estimated at $227 million, including the $4.8 million MLK Boulevard roadwork project that stretches from South Claiborne Avenue to St. Charles Avenue. An additional 56 roadwork projects are planned with an estimated value of $310 million.
“Central City is a neighborhood that is near and dear to my heart, and as a fellow neighbor, I have experienced both delays and progress with these infrastructure projects,” said Councilmember Lesli Harris. “I came into office over a year and a half ago with the goal of improving quality of life, communications and overall management for these infrastructure projects. I am optimistic with seeing the progress that has been made, as the work that was done in these 15 blocks is a step forward for New Orleans and a win for the Central City community. I want to thank all of our City partners at the Department of Public Works and the Sewerage and Water Board for their coordination on this project in improving water lines, streets and sidewalks.”
“I would just like to thank Mayor Cantrell, Councilmember Harris and her staff for inviting me to come speak on behalf of the community,” said Kiper. “I’m glad to see that District B is still moving forward and striving to be better.”
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