By Renee Simpson
As one of the longest and most important drainage canals in the parish, the Dunleith Canal helps move storm water runoff from the northernmost railroad tracks to pumping stations south of Ormond subdivision.
But Dunleith has also had its share of issues with bank erosion, affecting the backyards of many residents along Dunleith Drive.
Phase I of a project to stabilize the bank is now under construction, with contractor Advanced Quality Construction Inc. installing approximately 600 linear feet of vinyl sheetpile along the canal’s bank. The St. Charles Parish Council approved the project on Aug. 23 at a cost of $614,282.
Plans are to backfill the area between the current slope and the sheetpile, making it much easier and safer for the parish and other utilities, such as Entergy, to maintain infrastructure in the area. The project is currently about 75 percent complete, with a contracted working time of 90 days.
To view photos of the ongoing construction, be sure to visit www.stcharlesparish-la.gov/photos. A video segment on this project is coming soon to the parish YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/stcharlesgov.
Ribbon cut on West Bank Multi-Use Path
St. Charles Parish and state officials on Thursday ‘officially’ opened the West Bank Multi-Use Path, which spans the top of the Mississippi River Levee from Elm Street in Hahnville to the Davis Diversion project in Ama.
Below is the text of Parish President V.J. St. Pierre’s speech at the very windy ceremony:
“I’m so proud to be here today for the official opening of this West Bank Multi Use Path, even though so many residents have been utilizing the path ‘unofficially’ for months now.
While this project certainly did not come quickly, we’re glad to finally see it completed. What residents on the East Bank have been raving about for years, now residents on the West Bank are able to use day in and day out.
I’m thankful for both the efforts of my administration and the previous administration in making sure all the elements fell into place to get this project conceptualized, engineered and constructed. These folks include, but are not limited to, parish Chief Administrative Officer Timmy Vial and Grants Officer Holly Fonseca.
Special thanks goes as well to the many agencies outside of parish government that worked so cooperatively with us on this path, providing support and grant funding, especially Val Horton and Steve Meek of the Transportation Enhancement Program for the phase running from Elm Street in Hahnville to Davis Drive. I’d also like to recognize Cleve Hardman and Michael Domingue of the Louisiana Recreational Trails program for the phase from Davis Drive to the Diversion Project in Ama.
And I’d like to also thank our state legislators Sen. Joel Chiasson and Rep. Gary Smith for the valuable support they’ve lent in helping fund this project.
As we strive to constantly upgrade and improve our parish recreational facilities, I hope this path will serve a multitude of purposes. Whether for leisure, training or even travel, this levee has served throughout its history as a recreational area for St. Charles Parish residents. This blacktopped path only enhances those qualities.
So again, I thank all of you for being here, and be sure to come out and enjoy the season here on our Multi-Use Path.”
‘SCP Today’ takes walk down memory lane
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to write a book, be sure to tune in to the latest edition of the parish’s monthly talk show.
‘St. Charles Parish: A Pictorial History’ authors Sue Friloux, Marylin Richoux and Joan Becnel talk about the five-year journey in writing the 240-page book, and reveal some interesting facts about St. Charles Parish history along the way.
The show may be viewed on Government Access Channel Cox 6 at 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily or online at scptoday.com.
Renee Allemand Simpson serves as public information officer for St. Charles Parish. She may be reached at (985) 783-5183 or rsimpson@stcharlesgov.net.
Be the first to comment