Lac des Allemands erosion project finishing

Published 11:45 pm Friday, February 13, 2015

By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — A project providing erosion protection to the western shore of Lac des Allemands through construction of a 4,000 foot barrier is nearly complete.

Authorization to execute a Certificate of Substantial Completion on the $2.59 million project was granted by the St. John the Baptist Parish Council Tuesday.

Contractor Bertucci Contracting Co. LLC has been working on phase two of the West Lac Des Allemands Shoreline Protection Project, funded through a $3.8 million grant from the Louisiana Coastal Impact Assistance Program, in Pleasure Bend since May.

“Pleasure Bend is a vital fishing and tourist community, but it is also home to several of our residents,” Parish President Natalie Robottom said. “This project will allow their homes and property to be protected in the future.”

District 1 Councilman Art Smith, whose area of representation includes Pleasure Bend, agreed.

“The residents won’t have to worry about flooding anymore,” Smith said. “The general public hasn’t yet realized the jewel we have back there (in Pleasure Bend).”

Smith said he thinks the erosion project will generate more interest in the recreational opportunities available to sportsmen in Pleasure Bend.

The shoreline protection project reinforced the shoreline between Pleasure Bend and Pointe Aux Herbes by placing near-shore breakwaters or on-shore revetments — a facing to sustain an embankment — of limestone, aggregate materials and geotextile fabric.

Parish officials said funding for phase three of the West Lac Des Allemands Shoreline Protection Project — which includes an additional 1,200 feet of protection — is being finalized.