The City of New Orleans’ Department of Public Works continues development and implementation of the FEMA-funded Joint Infrastructure Recovery Roads program. There are two road projects planned in the Desire Neighborhood, which includes the former Agriculture Street Landfill and the Gordon Plaza sub-division. The landfill was designated as a Superfund site by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1994 and as such special safety precautions must be taken when work happens near the landfill. As a precaution, all infrastructure improvement projects within this neighborhood must have a soil management plan.

The RR029 Desire Group D project includes:

· Replacing damaged underground water, sewer and drainage lines

· Repaving roadways

· Replacing damaged sidewalks and driveway aprons

· Installing ADA compliant curb ramps at intersections

The project is expected to start in summer 2023.

The Department of Public Works contracted with Arcadis, Inc. to develop a “Soil Management Plan” for safe management and disposal of soils excavated during constriction of the project. This plan has been reviewd and approved by EPA. The SMP includes the following best management practices that will ensure the construction takes place safely, limiting any exposure to Desire neighborhood residents:

· Air Monitoring

· Dust Suppression Measures

· Odor and Vapor Suppression Measures

· Possible Soil Reuse and Disposal

· Added Site Security and Limited Access

· Traffic Control

· Decontamination Procedures

· Erosion, Dust, and Odor Control Measures

· Construction Mitigation Measures

The EPA-approved Soil Management Plan is available here.

Please visit roadwork.nola.gov for more information. Questions about this project or RoadworkNOLA should be directed to 504.658.ROAD (7623) or roadwork@nola.gov.