Interior drainage construction for Claiborne Ave. begins

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District recently began construction on a 46-month contract to provide increased drainage for the Carroll­ton area through drainage canal improvements along South Clai­borne Avenue between Leonidas and Lowerline Streets. Tree removal work required for the project started Monday, September 10, 2012. The “Claiborne Ave — Phase Two” project, which is part of the Southeast Louisiana Urban Flood Damage Reduction Project (SELA), will reduce the risk of damages from a rainfall event that has a chance of occurring once in every 10 years.

The $27.8 million contract calls for the Louisiana-based B&K Construction Co, LLC to construct approximately 3,400 feet of covered drainage canal, as well as the relocation of minor electrical and water line to accommodate the project.

In order to facilitate construction, the Claiborne Avenue neutral ground area will require clearing from Cambronne to Pine Streets. Necessary tree removal actions have been coordinated with the Corps’ partner, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, as well as the City of New Orleans’ Parks and Parkways department. A licensed arborist was hired to clear the neutral ground of all trees and shrubs in this area. Soon after the project is complete in the spring of 2016, landscaping will be restored in this area. The Corps will coordinate with the City of New Orleans and interested residents in developing a landscape design.

The Corps will continue to work closely with its partners at the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans on the SELA program. To date, a total of 14 SELA contracts have been awarded in Orleans Parish, with work completed on nine of those projects. All scheduled SELA work in Orleans Parish should be finished in 2017.

This article was originally published in the September 17, 2012 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper