West Shore project: $1.15B invested to date; critical pump-station contracts drive schedule toward 2030
June 18, 2026 | Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board, Boards & Commissions, Organizations, Executive, Louisiana
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Project managers updated the board June 17 on progress for the West Shore (West Lakefront) project and an adjacent river‑reintroduction (Morpas/Maripaw) diversion intended to benefit swamp and marsh habitats.
Brad Miller and other CPA project staff said the Corps will award several remaining contracts soon; to date 12 contracts are under construction and work represents roughly $1.15 billion in investment. Miller emphasized that two pump‑station contracts (each about 2,000 cubic feet per second capacity) are critical-path elements needed to close the system, and that a large contract awarded in April—about $419 million—covers important pump‑station work and is scheduled for completion around 2030.
Maripaw reintroduction: staff described a freshwater diversion designed primarily to convey water and nutrients (not capture bedload) five to six miles into the swamp to benefit about 45,000 acres of degraded swamp. The project includes an intake structure, a conveyance channel and a sedimentation basin sized to capture coarser sand at the intake for periodic dredging.
Costs and schedule: CPA staff said the total 50‑year cost estimate for the West Shore package is about $3.7 billion (including future operations) and that some components—such as a western floodwall contract (110A)—are scheduled for later award once site preloads are completed.
Why it matters: staff framed the West Shore system as a regional risk‑reduction measure intended to reduce surge and flooding for more than 60,000 residents across St. John the Baptist and St. Charles parishes. Project managers cautioned that the system is not yet complete and urged residents to heed evacuation orders and emergency guidance.
Next steps: staff said the 103A contract (floodwall and gate) had accepted competitive bids and is expected to be awarded in July, preload activity is underway at the 110A location, and advertising for additional packages will occur in the coming months.
Brad Miller and other CPA project staff said the Corps will award several remaining contracts soon; to date 12 contracts are under construction and work represents roughly $1.15 billion in investment. Miller emphasized that two pump‑station contracts (each about 2,000 cubic feet per second capacity) are critical-path elements needed to close the system, and that a large contract awarded in April—about $419 million—covers important pump‑station work and is scheduled for completion around 2030.
Maripaw reintroduction: staff described a freshwater diversion designed primarily to convey water and nutrients (not capture bedload) five to six miles into the swamp to benefit about 45,000 acres of degraded swamp. The project includes an intake structure, a conveyance channel and a sedimentation basin sized to capture coarser sand at the intake for periodic dredging.
Costs and schedule: CPA staff said the total 50‑year cost estimate for the West Shore package is about $3.7 billion (including future operations) and that some components—such as a western floodwall contract (110A)—are scheduled for later award once site preloads are completed.
Why it matters: staff framed the West Shore system as a regional risk‑reduction measure intended to reduce surge and flooding for more than 60,000 residents across St. John the Baptist and St. Charles parishes. Project managers cautioned that the system is not yet complete and urged residents to heed evacuation orders and emergency guidance.
Next steps: staff said the 103A contract (floodwall and gate) had accepted competitive bids and is expected to be awarded in July, preload activity is underway at the 110A location, and advertising for additional packages will occur in the coming months.
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