The Kenner City Council on June 30 approved a $6,325,244.15 construction contract awarded through the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and separately approved $705,620 for professional services with Digital Engineering and Imaging Inc. for the Roosevelt Boulevard reconstruction between West Metairie Avenue and West Napoleon Avenue.

Both measures passed by unanimous voice vote, 6-0. The construction contract (state project H.015120, federal aid project H015120) names Command Construction Industries LLC as the low bidder; the professional services agreement funds engineering and related work for the same project.

Council discussion focused on the project’s scope and likely impact on median trees. One council member said the trees contributing to the roadway’s deterioration mean some will have to be removed to raise the median and repair damaged drainage lines: "The median has to be raised. If it comes raised, I'm gonna have to cover up the roots, cover up the tree trunks, which is gonna kill the trees anyway," a council member said during debate. Public works staff noted the drain trunk line beneath the median had experienced failures and that the reconstruction includes work to repair that drain line. Public works staff also reported bids were received from 11 firms and that construction is expected to start in August after the state issues a notice to proceed.

State Rep. Joe Stagney was singled out in council remarks for work in Baton Rouge to advance the project. Council members urged moving forward so the city can draw down state funding and begin repairs in the corridor.

The council approved both the construction contract and the professional-services agreement with voice votes of 6-0. The project is a federal-aid reconstruction; final construction scheduling and state oversight will be managed through DOTD.