Louisiana Announces Start of Construction on West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Hurricane Protection Project
Louisiana's Gov. Edwards joined the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) along with federal, state, and local officials for a groundbreaking ceremony on the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Hurricane Protection system.
According to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District website, over 60,000 people in the three parish study area have little to no hurricane risk reduction in place. The project aims to create a 100 year level risk reduction system to manage hurricane risks for residents in St. Charles, St. James, and St. John the Baptist parishes.
According to the Office of the Governor, this is a $760 million project that will span 18.5 miles, including: 17.5 miles of levees; one mile of T-wall; drainage structures; pump stations; and several non-structural protection measures.
The structure will span from the Bonnet Carre Spillway to the Mississippi River Levee, providing storm surge protection and improved resilience on the western shores of Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas, according to the Office of the Governor's website.
“The River Parishes represent some of the most vibrant and vital areas in the state,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards in the Office’s news release. “With the completion of the West Shore project, thousands of Louisianans and millions of dollars of residential and commercial property will receive a much-deserved increase in their level of hurricane protection. Today’s event is a testament to the dedication of CPRA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Pontchartrain Levee District, and all those who worked tirelessly to make this important project a reality.”
The West Shore Lake Pontchartrain project was initially a study of the area between the Mississippi River and Lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas in the aftermath of Hurricane Betsy. After Hurricane Isaac flooded 7,000 homes in Louisiana, which delayed emergency response for days, Congress authorized the project in 2016 and allocated funds in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.
The West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Hurricane Protection project is a joint effort of CPRA and the New Orleans District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Pontchartrain Levee District, and St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, and St. James parishes.
The construction of the project is being funded through 65% federal funds and 35% local cost share.