LAPLACE — Several million-dollar projects moved closer to completion Tuesday, as the St. John the Baptist Parish Finance Committee — comprised of Council members —  approved Parish President Natalie Robottom’s recommendations to complete new and existing projects.

“The agreements awarded are for critical infrastructure investments that are vital to moving projects forward that have been in the works for years,” Council Chairman Michael Wright said. “Drainage, street lighting and water infrastructure are some of the areas that will see improvement.”

Two no-cost change orders were approved to allow for completion of two major projects within the next couple of months.

A no-cost change order was approved for Grady Crawford Construction Company Inc. for a 60-day time extension to complete the Mississippi River Waterline Crossing Project, after construction during the scope of the project was halted due to high water levels in the Mississippi River. Once complete, officials said the project will provide a back-up water supply for the Lions and Edgard water systems, which feed the parish’s West Bank, Reserve, Garyville and Mount Airy residents.

The 12-inch waterline will serve as a distribution line to residents on the East and/or West Bank in the event of an emergency, parish Public Information Officer Baileigh Rebowe Helm said, adding the $1.9 million project also satisfies DHH’s requirement for redundancy at the Edgard Water Plant.

The Finance Committee also approved a no-cost change order for the Louisiana 637 Waterline Relocation Project, which was granted a time extension of 42 days to complete the project. Locally, Louisiana 637 is known as West 10th Street.

The $1.6 million construction project was delayed due to high water levels in the Mississippi River. Completion of this project will allow the Department of Transportation and Development to continue with the West 10th Widening Project that is underway in Reserve.
The project consists of relocating various water lines in multiple locations along the road.

Parish President Natalie Robottom has said the project is critical to improving safety and building capacity in Reserve, because the road is heavily traveled by residents, school buses and 18-wheelers.

In another item, a contract was awarded to Magnolia Construction Company LLC of Baton Rouge to construct a Tank Equalization Piping project in an effort to ensure a continuous flow of water through the Edgard Water Treatment Plant.

The project involves the installation of approximately 180 linear feet of 12-inch P.V.C. pipe and 20 linear feet of 12-inch ductile iron piping from the ground storage tanks to the existing high service pumps.

The project will also include installation of approximately 60 linear feet of 18-inch P.V.C. piping between the existing ground storage tanks for tank water equalization.

The $99,174 construction project is funded through a Community Water Enrichment Fund Program and the Utilities Capital Improvements fund, and the project is estimated to be complete in 90 days.