LAPLACE—The United States Army Corp of Engineers released an update regarding the status of the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Levee. As of last week, the vegetation, trees and bushes had been removed from the levee alignment for field investigations.

Field investigations include tasks such as surveys and borings. This process is 60 percent complete, according to the Corps of Engineers.

Work on detailed design has begun and the purchasing of real estate is still ongoing.

It is projected that the construction of access roads may begin in early 2020.

The West Shore Levee Project includes construction of an 18-mile levee system around the communities of Montz, LaPlace, Reserve and Garyville.

Earthen levee and floodwalls, four floodgates, a drainage canal running parallel to the levee a flood-side ditch connecting wetlands to the north and south of the structure, two drainage structures and four pump stations will be built to a 2070 design elevation for anticipated sea level rise.

Construction is anticipated to complete by 2023.