NEWS

Storm protection lock may be done by 2022

Kevinisha Walker Staff Writer

Construction of a lock on the Houma Navigation Canal that aims to protect Houma and much of Terrebonne Parish from storm flooding is expected to be complete by 2022.

The $366 million dollar lock is expected to bring in freshwater from the Atchafalaya River through the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and into the marshes in central Terrebonne.

It will also serve as a freshwater diversion system, pushing water into the estuary to help marshes and swamps grow and improve salinity levels. 

The 110-ft lock complex will be to the east of the existing Bubba Dove Floodgate, Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove said. 

"Within the walls of the system, there will be some type of sector gates that will open and close and control the freshwater. The existing floodgate will be shut and all the vessels will come through the lock system," he added.

Even though most vessels will go through the lock system, Dove said the Bubba Dove Floodgate will have to be opened for wider vessels.

For the past two years, the lock complex has been in the engineering phase, which is expected to wrap up in 2019 and then go to bid for construction. CB&I is the lead firm in the design process. 

"This is something that's been a concerted effort between the Legislature, levee board and the parish," Dove said. "Right now, we have hurricane protection with the (Bubba Dove Floodgate). The lock structure is more of an environmental structure and it's a great step forward for the parish."

The lock, which is the largest and most expensive public works project in the parish, is being financed by BP money allocated to states affected by the 2010 Gulf oil spill and the state Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

The Restoration Authority money -- being paid out over 15 years -- will probably dictate the construction schedule, said Levee Director Reggie Dupre.

"The project doesn't have to be completed in one construction cycle," Dupre said. "It can be split into four or five or more construction projects. Hopefully by early 2018 or 2019 we can have the first part of construction done."

-- Staff Writer Kevinisha Walker can be reached at 850-1148 or kevinisha.walker@houmatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KevinishaWalker.