DOTD celebrates completion of General DeGaulle Drive and Newton Street Paths to Progress Project
On DEcember 4, 2014, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Sherri H. LeBas held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to celebrate the completion of roadway repairs to General DeGaulle Drive and Newton Street under the Paths to Progress program. The ceremony was held at the Craige Cultural Center, where LeBas was joined by state and local officials.
“We are thankful for our federal, state and local partners for their continued commitment to improve infrastructure in the city of New Orleans,” LeBas said. “This project will not only make General DeGaulle Drive and Newton Street safer and more reliable corridors for the residents of Algiers, it will also help to advance our economy by making it more attractive for new businesses to relocate to the area.”
The $3 million project included concrete panel replacements, sidewalk improvements, curb repair and ADA-compliant accessible ramp installations along General DeGaulle Drive between Holiday Drive and Woodland Drive and Newton Street between LB Landry/Whitney Avenue and Behrman Avenue. In addition, betterments such as biking, landscaping and street lighting were influential in the project as a total of 45 Chinese Pistache trees, 22 pedestrian street lights and 16 shared bike lane symbols were installed along the Newton Street segment.
Senator David Heitmeier stated, “There is much to celebrate today as Paths to Progress has helped revitalize important transportation arteries within Algiers including Newton Street and General DeGaulle Drive and let’s not forget Mercedes and Pace boulevards. These infrastructure investments help progress our community. We look forward to future projects of DOTD and Paths to Progress.”
“It is exciting to witness the many infrastructure improvements incorporated into this group of projects that encourage safe walking and biking and which in turn support the redevelopment of the Algiers Main Street,” said Karen Parsons, Regional Planning Commission Principal Planner. “Public investment in Paths to Progress continues to enhance the community by removing the risk of private investment in homes and commercial storefronts.”
“The completion of roadway repairs is indicative of construction and progress happening in Algiers and all throughout the city,” said Department of Public Works Director Lt. Col. Mark Jernigan. “The roadway repairs will help improve the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.”
Hard Rock Construction, LLC began construction of the project in August 2014 and reached completion in November 2014. Paths to Progress is slated to begin the MacArthur Boulevard and Sullen Place project next month.
With a combined investment of over $90 million, Paths to Progress is a coordinated effort between the Federal Highway Administration, DOTD, New Orleans Regional Planning Commission, City of New Orleans, Parish of Jefferson and City of Kenner. More than 60 roadway segments in Orleans and Jefferson will be resurfaced under Paths to Progress by May 2015.
To contact Paths to Progress, please call 1-800-574-7193 or email paths2progress@gmail.com, visit www.pavingLAroads.com, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paths2progress, or follow us on Twitter at @paths2progress.
