Business owners in New Orleans’ Milan neighborhood react to 183-block roadwork project
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The City of New Orleans is breaking ground on a $21.9 million roadwork project in the Milan neighborhood.
The work includes rebuilding entire streets, repairing sidewalks and curbs and repairing water and drainage lines.
“That’s replacing just under a mile and a quarter of old four and six-inch water mains, which we’re going to be upgrading to eight-inch mains,” said Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans General Superintendent Steve Nelson. “So, that’s going to provide increased reliability, redundancy and increased fire suppression capacity.”
The project’s contractor, Fleming Construction Company, LLC, will oversee the work done on 183 blocks.
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Business owners on Baronne Street say they are already navigating construction.
“Well, they’ve started that process already,” said Donovan Killeen, owner of A.L. Lowe Custom Framing. “It’s a little bit difficult getting into work because of all the work that’s going around with the streets, but you got to deal with it, and you know, you find a way around it.”
Some say the updated infrastructure will be beneficial for the area, yet there are still concerns.
“I also am concerned about how long it will take,” said Jeremy Fogg, the owner of Mae’s Bakeshop. “Will it be done properly? And what is it going to mean for my business? Because if the streets have shut down for a significant amount of time, it’s harder for people to get to the bakery, and are we going to see our sales hurting because of that?”
The city’s public works director, Clinton Hathaway, admits that not inconveniencing those in the area will be a challenge, but it will remain a priority.
“Hopefully, we’ll have a good pace, and we’ll be able to get through the neighborhood quickly,” said Hathaway.
The announcement of this project comes as the city rushes to complete infrastructure projects before the FEMA-imposed deadline of March 2025.
The public works director said, however, that the city will be requesting another extension to ensure the completion of projects.
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