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EDGARD — Sheriff Mike Tregre announced that construction restarted on the West Bank Public Safety Complex on River Road in Edgard. The project was initially delayed last November when an unmarked communications fiber line had to be relocated. In January, construction stalled again because of the rising Mississippi River.

Now that river levels are receding, construction restarted last week. The $2 million complex is a joint venture between the St. John Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department to increase police, fire and medical presence on the West Bank. The 6,000 square foot building will feature bays for housing trucks and equipment, a conference room, office and sleep quarters, as well as a reception area, day room, kitchen, restrooms and a break area.

Additional features of the facility include covered parking for ambulance services, a climate-controlled apparatus bay for voting, a walking connection to the park, additional parking for events and backup generator power.

“This building will be the first of its kind on the West Bank to provide citizens with the services they need and deserve,” Tregre said.

Last September, Sheriff Tregre, Fire Chief Cain Dufrene and former Parish President Natalie Robottom spearheaded a groundbreaking ceremony on River Road near the grounds of the Wallace Fire Station to celebrate the beginning of construction on the new complex.