On Monday, July 21, 2025, the St. Charles Parish Council accepted the bid to complete drainage improvements under the CN Railway. Insufficient subsurface capacity has historically limited water from flowing from the south side of the crossing to the north side, where Destrehan No. 2 Pump Station is located.

Homes and businesses in the project area have faced repeated flooding since the subdivision was built over forty years ago. Some properties sustained as many as three separate losses within an 18-month period.

“Relief is finally on the way for Destrehan residents who have endured repetitive flooding for more than forty years,” said St. Charles Parish President Matthew Jewell. “This project has been a long-standing need, and while previous efforts fell short, we’re committed to seeing it through. I’m incredibly proud of the work my team has done over the past five years to advance this extremely complex project. Instead of throwing up our hands, we’re rolling up our sleeves and getting it done.”

The improvements will increase the number of culverts that pass under the railroad tracks. This will open drainage pathways and allow water to flow more efficiently to our pump stations, thus reducing the risk of flooding in the Ormond area. The project is designed to convey peak runoff flows for a 100-year storm.

HUD Community Development Block Grant Mitigation Funds from the Office of Community Development’s Louisiana Watershed Initiative Design Support Program provided $6,314,616 in funding for this project. Local funds will cover the remaining construction costs.

Construction is set to begin this year and is anticipated to last approximately 12 months. BLD Services, LLC was awarded the contract with a low bid of $10,542,425. Barowka and Bonura Engineers and Consultants, LLC provided engineering services.