Flood control project may yet help Lower St. Martin
ST. MARTINVILLE – The canceled plan to organize an ambitious flood control project in lower St. Martin Parish could get another chance to succeed.
As discussed by Public Works Project Manager Callen Huval at the Nov. 15 Parish Council committee meeting, the Bayou Estates Flood Wall project in Lower St. Martin Parish was shelved in early 2022 when the original $6+ million FEMA funding plan proved to be inadequate.
Engineering and design work is complete for the project, which involves the construction of two flood gates, a sheet pile wall to isolate the area in times of rising water, and the addition of a high-volume pump station along with improved cross-drainage conduits.
With additional funding from a recently-secured $1.8 million Community Development Block Grant, parish government decided it was worth another try.
Bayou Estates is the most problematic development in the parish with regard to flooding. Currently, parish workers must rush to block storm drains when back-flow water begins to rise. The streets are frequently flooded and much depends on the ability of pumps to protect the homes.
Another prospective project in Lower SMP includes improvements to Four Mile Bayou Road. One and one-half miles of the often-inundated aggregate road would be raised and topped with asphalt.
Parish President Chester Cedars commented that, given the price increases since contract proposals were received last year, it may still be a reach, even with the added funding. “I’d say I’m very, very, very cautiously optimistic, but it’s well worth taking another shot,” he said.
Waste Collection Cost
The contractual allowance with Pelican Waste for periodic increases in fees according to changes in costs, particularly of diesel fuel, will result in an increase in customers’ trash collection bills.
Fees for customers in unincorporated areas of the parish will rise by approximately 8% to $25.01 per month in the upper portion of the parish and $26.06 in Lower SMP beginning in January.