Continuing our infrastructure work during this trying time for our city is absolutely essential. Public safety is always our priority – with hurricane season on the horizon as well as deadlines for our FEMA and HUD dollars – and so we must push forward for as long as we safely and responsibly can.  

The well-being of the crews working at our myriad job sites is paramount, which is why we are in constant communication with our contractors to ensure that all workers are washing hands regularly, practicing social distancing on sites and furthermore staying home if they are feeling sick in any way.  

On our capital side, we currently have 17 projects under construction valued at more than $75M. Between maintenance projects and the Joint Infrastructure Program, we currently have 26 DPW projects under construction valued at nearly $160M.  Work is continuing on all of these projects.  

In the next 60 days, we will have approximately $200M worth of Joint Infrastructure projects going out to bid and $20M worth of capital projects going out to bid. Again, we will continue to thoughtfully move forward. 

The RoadworkNOLA success stories highlighted in this newsletter include: 

• District A: The $7.1M Hagan-Lafitte project, set to be complete by summer 2020 weather permitting, is progressing with crews installing semi-permeable concrete on St. Peter street. This is a "gray-green" infrastructure project that will feature upsized drainage, urban bioswales and a huge water storage facility located underneath Easton Park. 

• District B: Hard Rock Construction crews under the guidance of the Department of Public Works and in collaboration with Ochsner Healthcare Systems, Baptist Campus, adjusted the $4M Freret Group A  project schedule to ensure that all work around the hospital was expedited to accommodate the changing needs of the hospital and community.  The improved boulevard features one lane in each direction with a cobblestone safety strip dividing the two lanes.  With completion of the improved city side of Convention Center Boulevard, crews are continuing work constructing the 7.5-acre public park that runs the length of the building. 

• District C: A virtual groundbreaking ceremony was held to unveil construction that began in March on the $7M Westbank Group B project. You can watch the video on the RoadWork NOLA Facebook page. The scope of the project varies block by block but includes, repairs on damaged concrete and asphalt portions of roadway, repairing sidewalks and curbs within the public right-of-way.  

• District D: The $15M Pontilly Neighborhood Storm water Network project, which extends from Stephen Girard Avenue to Southern University at New Orleans, is now approximately 50 percent complete. The project includes green infrastructure features, designed to help with flood mitigation.  

• District E: Construction crews have completed several blocks of roadway construction as part of the $14M Little Woods Group A project, including the roadway on West Laverne. This block was a full reconstruction that included new drainage lines.  

Sincerely, 

LaToya Cantrell 
Mayor, City of New Orleans