Media Clips

CONTACT:
Lesley Eugene, (504) 416-7694
Lesley.Eugene@mayorofno.com

City Begins Rehabilitation of General DeGaulle Drive in Algiers

Construction Project to be Completed Prior to Mardi Gras Parades

NEW ORLEANS, LA (February 4, 2009) – The City of New Orleans, Department of Public Works and the Algiers Development District today announced the beginning of construction on General DeGaulle Drive from Holiday Drive to Behrman Place. The 0.2 mile rehabilitation project started on Monday, February 2 and will be completed before the first Mardi Gras parade on the Westbank on Friday, February 13.

“The City would like to thank State House of Representatives Speaker of the House Jim Tucker, State Representative Jeff Arnold and State Senator David Heitmeier for supporting this project,” said Robert Mendoza, Director of Public Works. “Their support helped to finance and expedite this long-awaited rehabilitation project.”

“The roadway had become so bad that people were actually avoiding this section of General DeGaulle Drive,” stated Louisiana State Representative and Algiers Development District Chairman Jeff Arnold. “We knew we had to step up and get it fixed. The District worked with the City to hire an approved contractor to do the work. This is another way that we use our funds to help the Algiers area, in addition to our work with the Federal City project.”

Funded by the Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) dollars from the Behrman Highway Walmart Center, the $149,000 rehabilitation project includes the removal and replacement of existing asphalt roadway, concrete base patching where necessary and installation of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant ramps in sidewalks at affected intersections.

Boh Bros. Construction Co., LLC will perform construction services with construction management oversight provided by MWH, the city’s project management firm.

“As we enter the Carnival season, we understand that parade routes need to be free from construction; therefore, construction will be completed prior to the first Algiers parade on February 13,” said Mendoza. “Work in the eastbound lanes, towards English Turn, will take place from 7 a.m to 3:00 p.m. Work on the westbound lanes, towards the Crescent City Connection, will take place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents traveling through this area should expect delays.”

Algiers Development District
The Algiers Development District of the City of New Orleans is a special taxing district (TIF) created by state legislation. The special taxing district is comprised of all territory within the fifteenth ward (Algiers) of Orleans Parish, State of Louisiana. The district has been designated as a local redevelopment authority for Federal City military base realignment purposes and has been authorized to incur debt, including revenue bonds from revenue sources for its enumerated purposes.

For more information, visit www.cityofno.com or contact Jeff Arnold at 504.812.8651