NEW ORLEANS, LA - On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the Public Works Committee convened to hear presentations from several departments, including the Department of Sanitation and the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO). The Committee also received updates regarding the progress on the Lincoln Beach Redevelopment Project and the Morrison Road Project.
Lincoln Beach Redevelopment Updates
Representatives of the Lincoln Beach Redevelopment project provided the Committee with updates on the construction timeline for this large-scale project. Since November 2025, project members have been working to route contracts to finalize design and construction plans. Additionally, the team has been evaluating various cost-saving measures and has split the project into three separate building phases. The team is currently completing the design phase of the on-site office parking lot, with construction expected to begin at the end of this year.
Presentation from the Department of Sanitation
The Department of Sanitation shared its presentation with the Committee, which detailed the Department's organizational structure, staffing, and highlights from the 2026 budget. The Department's adopted budget for 2026 is $70,485,899, which was broken down by operating expenditure categories. It also explained the city's and contractor's sanitation services, including waste collection, illegal dumping, and tire removal.
As for enforcement, members of the Department explained that Sanitation Rangers enforce codes on waste, littering, illegal signs, and tires through warnings, letters, hearings, and summons via the NOPD. The presentation concluded with upcoming events and initiatives, such as Shred Day on Saturday, March 21, and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Day on Saturday, April 11. These events will take place on 2829 Elysian Fields from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information, visit nola.gov/sanitation.
To view the full presentation, click here.
Morrison Road Improvement Project Update
Representatives from the Department of Public Works and Renegade Construction provided updates surrounding the Morrison Road Improvement Project.
The City of New Orleans Department of Public Works has started the $23.6 million Morrison Road Improvement Project, funded by the Federal Highway Administration (80%) and the City's Bond Program (20%). It aims to improve access and travel along Morrison Road with pavement repairs, bridge restorations and replacements, ADA curb ramps, a greenway path, extra green space at Lake Willow Drive and Benson Street, and high-visibility crosswalks at key intersections.
Construction started on February 14, 2026, and will last 540 days over three phases. The first phase, from February to July 2026, includes bridge repairs, roadway rehabilitation, and sidewalk upgrades between Wright Road and Bullard Avenue.
The second phase, from August 2026 through May 2027, involves replacing the Benson Canal and Farrar Canal bridges, along with additional roadway and sidewalk work, and reconfiguring turnarounds.
The final phase, beginning in May and continuing until June 2027, encompasses landscaping, tree planting, and cleanup. As of March 9, 2026, crews have set up temporary traffic controls between Read Boulevard and Bullard Avenue and begun removing and replacing concrete, curbs, ADA ramps, and sidewalks. Any schedule changes will be communicated to the public.
To view the full presentation, click here.
Updates from the SWBNO
Members of the SWBNO provided an update on recent issues, including a water main break at Carrollton and Panola on March 9 that caused flooding, and a boil water advisory affecting neighborhoods like Uptown, the CBD, the French Quarter, Mid-City, parts of Gentilly, the 9th Ward, and New Orleans East. Crews isolated the break between 2:15 a.m. and 5:15 a.m., after which repairs began. The SWBNO estimates that normal service should be restored by week's end. Other incidents included a water main break at Magnolia and Jackson on March 4, and another at S. Claiborne and Toledano on February 23, which was repaired by March 1.
The SWBNO's presentation highlighted system challenges and ongoing projects. SWBNO's water network includes 1,600 miles of pipe, 34% of which are over 100 years old, leading to frequent failures. The agency has replaced 115 miles of mains, has four additional projects in the bidding process, and is seeking federal and long-term funding for upgrades. The SWBNO also provided updates on progress in the Lead Service Line Replacement Program, repairs to the Dwyer Canal drainage system, collaboration with city agencies on Mardi Gras cleanup, and more.
The Committee urged the SWBNO to move with greater urgency regarding the March 9 water main break, as additional water main breaks are compounding and residents are dealing with flood-related issues.
To view the full presentation, click here.