October 18, 2010 (via www.stpgov.org )

South Slidell Levee Protection Update

Phase One of the St. Tammany Parish South Slidell Levee Protection Plan is under construction  to establish a network of protective levees in the south Slidell area.   This phase of the plan will raise an existing berm from approximately 6 feet of elevation to 12 feet of elevation.   The berm will be an earthen, grass covered structure.

The location of Phase One is between Hwy 11 and the railroad tracks of the Norfolk Southern Pacific Railway.  This part of the overall project is approximately 2000 feet long.  The project as a whole is designed to provide south Slidell with much improved flood protection. 

The improvements to the existing levee in this area will reduce storm surge for 3,000 to 4,000 surrounding homes.  While not providing protection against a Category 5 hurricane, it will lessen tidal surge for a minor to moderate storm (a 50 year frequency event).  When other phases of the project are completed, the intent is to provide 100 year event surge protection to the south Slidell area. 

“I am very pleased to begin Phase One of this project,” said Parish President Kevin Davis.  “With this first phase providing storm surge protection to 4,000 homes, this is a good start to what will eventually be a comprehensive protection package for much of this area of our parish.”

The construction contract length for Phase One is 110 good weather days, and the total construction contract is for $596,206.22.  Funding for this phase came from St. Tammany Parish Capital Outlay funds, the State of Louisiana, and the City of Slidell. 

The funding for Phase One is as follows:  Act 19 Line Item Appropriation was funded in 2008 and administered by the LA Treasury.  It was for $118,750.  $113,300 of these funds went to land acquisition and $5,450 went to appraisals and surveys.  The City of Slidell provided a donation of $600,000.  $277,706 will be used toward construction of Phase 1.  Capital Outlay funds already in place (for the west side of I-10) will pay for $318,500 of the construction cost.  St. Tammany Parish provided $403,820 in drainage funds towards the purchase price of the land.



South Slidell Levee Protection Expenditures and Funding Breakdown   

Appraisals and Surveys                                                                             $ 5,450.00
Wetlands Mitigation                                                                                 $ 46,150.00
Land acquisition                                                                                     $ 517,120.00
Geotechnical Analysis (Stratum Engineering)                                               $ 7,000.00
Independent Technical Review of Engineering Plans (JV Burkes)                    $ 1,200.00
Construction Management (JV Burkes)                                                      $ 24,500.00
Construction Contract (Leon Lowe and Sons, Inc)                                     $ 596,206.22
2% fee to FP&C                                                                                        $ 6,500.00

Total expenditures and contracts to date                                               $ 1,204,126.22