Mayor Charles Caillouet announced today that the Office of Emergency Preparedness has released a letter informing the city that its grant request for federal assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program has been approved by FEMA for four (4) out of the seven proposed drainage projects in Thibodaux thus far. Approval was granted on July 9 for drainage improvements in the Rienzi Subdivision, on Tiger Drive, Arms St., and for additional outfall control gates on Bayou Lafourche. Federal assistance to the City of Thibodaux for these projects totals $1,035,097. The city anticipates receiving approval from FEMA shortly for the three remaining grants requested for drainage improvements in the city. Once all projects have been approved, the total grant award from FEMA to the City of Thibodaux will exceed $1.4 million. “The City of Thibodaux is very fortunate to have received federal grant assistance for the construction of major drainage improvements throughout the city. Some of these improvements have been needed in the city for over forty years. Everyone in the community should benefit by the improvements,” said Mayor Caillouet. Final procurement of engineering services for each of these projects will be introduced at the upcoming City Council meeting in August. Advertisement for construction bids will be published at such time as the engineering plans and specifications are approved by the city. Mayor Caillouet stated, “I’m gratified that FEMA has come through and provided the necessary funding for these projects—which will greatly enhance the drainage projects that the city has done since Tropical Storm Allison. These improvements will also help to alleviate disaster type flooding as well as some of the nuisance flooding we receive from seasonal large afternoon thunderstorms.” Remaining projects awaiting funding assistance from FEMA include Goode St. drainage, N. Thibodaux outfall canal, and south Canal Blvd. drainage. |
