The parish has taken delivery of a new sand bagging machine. Now, according to President Guy Cormier, residents who depend on sand bags to help keep water out of their homes or businesses will be able to get flood preparations started much sooner.
A two-home fire in May of 2016 destroyed the home of elderly sisters Gail Marretta and Katherine Grenon on Main Street. With the help of a hardship variance granted by the city council at its July 17 meeting, they will soon be able to return to the location that has been their family home for more than 70 years.
The rain water has receded in Lower St. Martin Parish. Work crews that worked to help protect houses with sand bags and other measures are returning to other tasks.
Patience is a virtue– The detour around the La 352 (Henderson Hwy) closure at La 347 (Grand Point Hwy) is an inconvenience, but town officials say shortcuts are not acceptable. Henderson Hwy will be closed at the intersection for 30 to 45 days, depending on the weather.(Karl Jeter)
The detour around construction at the La 352/La 347 intersection is a loop five miles long. Its route, which uses Nina Hwy/La 349, is too long for some impatient drivers. Too many are taking the shorter route of the small, residential street Martha Hebert Rd., according to officials.
Drainage projects – St. Martin Parish President Guy Cormier describes the six projects that will make up phase I of the work to be done under the $25 million bond issue passed by voters last December. Phase I represents about half of the portion of the bond proceeds dedicated to drainage. Most work will address problems identified in the August 2016 flood. (Karl Jeter)
Plans for parish projects to improve storm water drainage, using the first $10 million of the $20 million bond proceeds approved for drainage improvements in December, have been finalized. Parish President Guy Cormier presented an overview at the June 20 St. Martin Parish Council meeting.