Next Phase of Jean Lafitte Tidal Protection Project Breaks Ground

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), along with state and local officials, have kicked off Phase 2 of the Fisher School Basin Flood Risk Reduction Project, a floodwall being built along Bayou Barataria at the construction cost of $11.2 million.

According to an official announcement from the Governor’s office, the project is 1 of 10 high priority planned flood risk reduction projects planned for the Jean Lafitte area of Jefferson Parish.

The 1.4-mile sheet pile-and-concrete cap floodwall is an extension of a previously-built 1.5-mile floodwall completed as Phase 1 of the Fisher School Basin Project.

Together, the two projects will tie into an existing back levee, providing flood risk reduction to approximately 450 acres of the community, including more than 300 residential and commercial structures.

“The people of this area deserve protection from tidal and storm surges, and we are here today delivering on the commitment made in our Coastal Master Plan to provide that protection,” said Governor Edwards.

“But this is just the beginning, and I want you to know the commitment remains strong to deliver on the other important flood risk reduction projects in the area and across the state.”

The Town of Jean Lafitte is situated along the Barataria Bay Waterway approximately 13 miles south of New Orleans and has seen a history of flood events from rainfall, tropical storms, and even extreme high tides.

“We expect construction of this Fisher Basin project will be completed around September of next year,” said CPRA Executive Director, Bren Haase. “Meanwhile, we are working on what comes next, the Rosethorne area section. We expect to bid that out for construction later this year. In all, there are 10 projects either in construction or in planning and design.”

The floodwalls along the waterway are expected to be built to an elevation of 7.5 feet and the back levees will be built to an elevation of 8.5 feet.

B&K Construction Company, LLC, headquartered in Mandeville, La., is the construction contractor for Phase 2 of the Fisher School Basin project.