$1 million federal funds to address flooding, infrastructure in River Parishes

ST. JOHN PARISH, LA (WVUE) – On Wednesday, Sept. 4, Congressman Troy Carter met with local leaders at the Port of South Louisiana to announce $1 million in federal funding for infrastructure projects in St. John and St. James Parishes. The funds will be split between two critical projects.

In St. James Parish, $500,000 will be allocated to Lutcher for major renovations on King Avenue, an evacuation route that has suffered from repeated flooding and pavement damage. Dozens of homes, the Brooks apartment complex, and the Cypress Grove Montessori Academy are all along the stretch of road.

Mayor Patrick St. Pierre says the roadway often gets bogged with stormwaters, causing damage to the pavement and flooding issues.

“King Avenue is one of two evacuation routes out of the town. At least 50 percent of the road has flooded at least 15 times causing inaccessibility of the evacuation route and major deterioration of the roadway,” St. Pierre said.

St. John Parish will also receive $500,000, which will be directed toward flood mitigation efforts at the Port of South Louisiana. The funds will be used for the construction of retention ponds, drainage ditches, and other flood control measures.

“We are a port that is the second largest tonnage port in the western hemisphere, number one exporter of grain, feeding Europe, and Asia and North Africa, South America,” said Port CEO Paul Matthews.

St. John Parish President Jaclyn Hotard says that the port’s drainage project will align with the parish’s future drainage plans.

“We will be able to mesh the findings from our comprehensive drainage plan that covers the entire parish, with what the port is doing, as so we will be able to complement both of those plans so we can make sure we are taking care of our residents,” Hotard said.

Carter says the $1 million in federal money is a sign of commitment to the well-being of the region and his continued efforts to fight climate change.

“This plan is not just about fixing drain ditches or pipes. It’s about taking a holistic approach to safeguard businesses and the thousands that have jobs here as well as protecting neighborhoods from the devastation of flooding,” Carter said.

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