President Mike Cooper and other officials broke ground on the highly anticipated W-15 widening project Monday morning.
The $2.6 million project, which benefits more than 9,300 homes and businesses, will widen the W-15 from the French Branch Estates subdivision to the confluence at Doubloon Bayou, a total of 7,400 linear feet.
The project was funded through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Parish drainage capital improvement money.
Cooper said that based on flood claims and examination of the area, they know there’s a tremendous need for the work and once completed, the W-15 will help alleviate the surrounding communities of flood water.
This widening is the second of three phases to provide improved drainage flow to the community. Recently, Parish Government completed the construction of the $8 million, 54-acre French Branch pond. The final phase of the project, diversion from the W-15 to the French Branch pond, is currently in the design phase.
The Department of Public Works will continue to provide maintenance to the W-15.
The widening is expected to be completed in Summer 2023.
