Comite River Diversion Canal Update

 

The Comite River Diversion Canal project is behind schedule, but steadily making progress. The project, which will prevent catastrophic flooding in the City of Central, recently received an additional $9.1 million from federal and state funding.

 

But Dietmar Rietschier, executive director of the Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conversation District, says the newly acquired money is not enough to complete the project. “That much money sounds like a large amount to people, but we are actually behind on funding. Unfortunately this puts us behind schedule as well,” Rietschier said.

 

The Lily Bayou drop structure (photos at right) will be completed by the end of 2009. The next step is the bridge on Plank Road. Rietschier said that once they acquire the property, they can begin building and complete that portion of the project by March 2010.

 

To find out more about the Comite River Diversion Canal Project, contact Dietmar Rietschier at 296-4900.