French Quarter businesses await water line project completion as fences come down

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Construction fencing is coming down along parts of Decatur Street, bringing visible progress to a long-running water line project in the French Quarter. But some businesses say delays have cost them millions, and a new, nearby water pressure problem has added to their frustration.

The $10 million, FEMA-funded French Quarter Transmission Main Project is replacing 115-year-old water, sewage and drainage lines serving dozens of homes and businesses. The work is funded through FEMA’s Joint Infrastructure Recovery Request Program and includes full replacement of 1,600 feet of 24-inch cast iron transmission mains, 2,000 feet of drainage lines and catch basins and 1,500 feet of sewer lines.

New water, fire fighting and sewer service connections, as well as Entergy electric and Delta gas upgrades were wrapped into the project, according to the Sewerage and Water Board’s project overview.

Delays have stretched the work across 14 months. The utility announced on social media Tuesday that roadway restoration is complete. It declined Fox 8’s interview request Wednesday.

French Quarter resident Brian Aronson said getting around the construction has been inconvenient, but he likes what he sees as the fencing comes down.

“The streets were in pretty bad shape, and I’m looking at them now,” Aronson said. “They look pretty good.”

Theresa Mortlock, who is visiting the French Quarter from St. George Island, Fla., also welcomed the progress.

“The one thing I did say is that how much nicer it looks, as you go on and see the progress that they’ve made. It looks beautiful,” she said.

In a lawsuit filed by Decatur businesses, some owners say the construction delays cost them millions.

Ed Leonard, also visiting from St. George Island, said he read about French Quarter businesses closing and the lawsuit when planning his trip months ago.

“I was just surprised when I got here it was still going on, because I had heard about some businesses having to close from no traffic,” Leonard said.

Trey Monaghan, manager of Molly’s at the Market, said low water pressure is the latest problem for businesses along the street, attributed to a broken water main unrelated to the French Quarter construction project. Improving water pressure was among the project’s goals.

A Sewerage and Water Board spokesperson said a broken water main at Duels and Pauger streets is causing the current water pressure problems on Decatur, not the French Quarter project. In a press release, the utility said the broken 48-inch water main is causing lower water pressure in several neighborhoods, including east of St. Bernard Avenue, the Central Business District, the Seventh Ward, Treme and the French Quarter.

The utility said a repair to the line stop was completed Wednesday, but did not improve the water pressure as expected. It said the water is safe to drink and repairs are ongoing. It said those repairs could be complete the week of Nov. 16, with crews working around the clock.

“Can we just get this thing over with, finally? So we can get back to operating, make a little money and get things going in the right direction?” Monaghan asked.

In a statement, the Sewerage and Water Board said that Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramps and sidewalks still need to be finished and construction materials removed before the project’s ribbon-cutting. The board has not announced a date for the ceremony.

Troy Stone, an employee at Mary Jane’s, said he hopes the work is finished before the holiday and Carnival rush.

“We just missed the Halloween. But we’re hopeful it’s cleared up long before Mardi Gras, hopefully in the next few days or so,” Stone said.

Many Decatur Street businesses are planning a block party to bring people back to the area. Defend Decatur 2 is currently scheduled for Nov. 22.

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