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Mayor Cantrell celebrates completion of $10.8 million roadwork project in Central City

Mayor LaToya Cantrell and New Orleans officials celebrate completion of the 15-block, $10.8 million FEMA-funded roadway project in Central City on Thursday.

NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was joined by other city officials to celebrate the completion of the 15-block, $10.8 million FEMA-funded roadway project in Central City (District B).

Deputy CAO of Infrastructure Joseph Threat, Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) Interim General Superintendent Ron Spooner and others were on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony being held at the corner of Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard and Josephine Street on Thursday afternoon.

The project replaced damaged underground water and sewer and drainage lines, repaved the roadway, replaced damaged sidewalks and driveway aprons and installed ADA-compliant curb ramps at intersections.  

"Celebrating 15 blocks of improvements in Central City is a step in the right direction," said Mayor Cantrell, a former District B councilmember. "The city of New Orleans will continue on this path to utilizing our federal resources and partnerships, not only with the Department of Public Works, but also with the Sewerage and Water Board."

The project is part of the city's Joint Infrastructure Recovery Response (JIRR) Program, in partnership with SWBNO, whose portion of the work is valued at $3 million.  

“We have a great partnership with the City of New Orleans and Department of Public Works,” said Spooner. “The existing utilities had been constructed between 1907 and 1914, so we got our money’s worth out of our infrastructure for 116 years, which was probably too long. That’s why we need additional funding to come to the city, so we can continue this stride on upgrades to infrastructure and full reconstruction projects, replacing our sewer water and drainage system, to make this city whole.” 

According to the city, since May 2018, there have been 39 roadwork projects completed, worth an estimated value of $125 million, in District B.

There are 16 roadwork projects currently under construction, estimated at $227 million. An additional 56 roadwork projects are planned with an estimated value of $310 million. 

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