By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Another St. John the Baptist Parish drainage project has been completed, this one addressing historic flooding in LaPlace along Captain Bourgeois, Pine and Red Bud Streets.

The parish’s Public Works Department recently completed a project to improve water flow throughout the area by installing an 18-inch pump on a concrete slab, constructing a large concrete junction box and installing a 72-inch culvert with backfill, grading, fencing and a protective covering.

The pump will allow for water to flow out of the area toward Lake Pontchartrain. Funded through the 2009 Bond Issue, the project’s estimated cost was $150,000 and was completed in-house over two months by parish employees.

“I am very proud of the work my guys did on this project,” Public Works Director Brian Nunes said. “While also tending to other responsibilities, the department completed the project within a timely manner.”

Parish President Natalie Robottom said parish administration remains focused on addressing problematic flooding areas around the parish.

“I am very pleased with the final product,” Robottom said.

“I commend the department on their effort and professionalism in completing the work in-house.”

The drainage project was completed in conjunction with 2012’s Persimmon Street drainage project, which consisted of adding new culverts along Fir Street, West 5th Street and Spruce Street.

The effort cleaned the canal along the railroad track between Fir Street and Maple Loop and included installing a new drainage pump station between Captain Bourgeois and Persimmon Streets.  

Parish Communication Director Paige Falgoust said drainage projects for Reserve and the Vicknair Canal along the LaPlace neighborhoods of Riverlands and Cambridge have been approved and are in the design stages.