By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Ongoing construction on improvements in drainage for one historically flood-prone neighborhood in LaPlace will result in the closure of the intersection of Capt. G. Bourgeois and Persimmon streets for about two months while work is done in the area.

St. John the Baptist Parish spokesperson Paige Braud said crews with Command Construction, the contractor assigned to the project, began work at the intersection Thursday morning. She said the intersection will be closed for the next 60 days as the project moves toward completion. The project is one of several drainage improvements tied to the $29.5 million bond issue approved by St. John Parish voters in 2009.

Braud said the work at Persimmon Street represents the second half of a roughly $1.5 million drainage project that will correct flooding problems in areas surrounding Persimmon Street and St. Joan of Arc School. The parish is working to redirect drainage in that area to the Mississippi River rather than toward Airline Highway and out to Lake Pontchartrain.

The first part of the project, which began in March, added new culverts along Fir Street, West Fifth Street and Spruce Street and also involved cleaning the canal along the railroad track between Fir Street and Maple Loop. Braud said the work that began Thursday involves installing two new drainage pump stations at Captain Bourgeois and Persimmon streets.

Councilman Haston Lewis, who represents the area where the improvements are taking place, said several attempts at solving the drainage issues in the St. Joan of Arc/Persimmon Street basin have been unsuccessful in the past. He expects this project will correct those longstanding flooding problems.

With the intersection closed, Braud said residents along Persimmon Street will only have access to their homes from River Road. She said residents in the surrounding area will have access to their homes but added Capt. G. Bourgeois Street will be open to residential traffic only. As the project moves forward, residents will be notified of changing conditions that affect access to their homes, parish officials said.

“As a result of this project, the historical flooding and drainage problems that have plagued this area will be corrected,” said Parish President Natalie Robottom. “We apologize in advance for the inconvenience but anticipate a successful project at the conclusion of construction.”