Portion of Willowdale Boulevard to close for six-week culvert project

Courtesy Photo

Two culverts were replaced a year ago under Michael Drive in Bayou Gauche, which significantly improved drainage. Officials hope a similar project on Willowdale Boulevard will prevent flooding in surrounding neighborhoods.

Starting Jan. 30, Willowdale Boulevard will be closed to traffic between Michael Drive and Cottage Drive for six weeks while improvements are made to a culvert, according to St. Charles Parish officials.

The project calls for the replacement of the existing 36-inch concrete culvert on Willowdale Boulevard near Cottage Drive. The culvert is being replaced in order to prevent flooding in surrounding neighborhoods, according to parish spokeswoman Renee Simpson.

Simpson added that detour signs will be posted on the boulevard throughout the closure.

In late March, workers will also replace the 40-inch culvert on Beaupre Drive near Cottage Drive. The project will result in the closure of Beaupre Drive, but an exact time frame has not been decided. The $549,275 box culvert improvement project is part of $15.4 million in grant funding the parish received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The grant is being used to upgrade and improve drainage infrastructure in Boutte, New Sarpy, Norco, St. Rose, Luling and Bayou Gauche.