Press Releases

New Orleans, LA - The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) contractor, Cycle Construction, has reconfigured the one lane of open traffic on S. Claiborne Ave. (city bound) to accommodate the final phase of the project which includes water line installation and paving restoration. The contractor has also reopened the intersection of Louisiana Ave. and S. Claiborne Ave. 

Access to businesses along S. Claiborne Ave. will remain open during this time.


Work Phase Beginning on Thursday, 12/5 - Mid-January 2025

• Location: S. Claiborne Ave. from Louisiana Ave. to Third St.
   
• Scope of Work:  Water main installation and paving restoration.
   
• Traffic Impact: Traffic will remain reduced to one open travel lane nearest to the neutral ground from Louisiana Ave. to Third St. After additional exploratory work is performed, the open lane of traffic from Amelia St. to Louisiana Ave. will also shift to the lane closest to the neutral ground.

The project is 90% completed and is currently on track to be substantially completed by mid-January 2025. The lane closures are necessary to accommodate waterline installation and paving restoration as part of the South Claiborne Transmission Main construction project. Signage and traffic control measures such as barrels and fencing are on onsite to direct drivers and pedestrians. Motorists are advised to use caution as large trucks and heavy machinery will be hauling materials in the area. 


Water Closure Information:

SWBNO contractor, Cycle Construction, and internal crews will perform a water valve closure on a 48-inch transmission main on S. Claiborne Ave. next week. Weather permitting and pending environmental testing, crews will begin closing the valves beginning at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, December 9, 2024. This water closure is expected to last until 4:00 p.m. if water pressure throughout the system is deemed acceptable. This closure is to ensure valve operability and to facilitate the installation of a 24-inch water main. 

This 48” water main supplements much of the water supply to the East Bank of New Orleans, therefore resulting in potential lower-than-normal water pressure throughout the East Bank. This water main is one of six large transmission water mains that provides water to the East Bank, which means there are redundancies in the water distribution system.

While lower-than-normal water pressure is anticipated, our crews will monitor water pressure throughout the city. If pressures dip below 20 psi, we will notify the public of the need for a precautionary boil water advisory. During this time some customers may experience lower-than-normal pressure, especially on upper floors of multi-story buildings.

Customers who are experiencing very low or no water pressure are directed to call our Emergency Call Center at 504-52-WATER; SWBNO is open every day, 24 hours a day to serve you.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience as we work to maintain and improve your water system.


Transmission Water Main Replacement Projects

The replacement of the 48- inch water transmission main in the 2600 - 3300 blocks of S. Claiborne Ave. (TM011 - S. Claiborne Louisiana Ave. to Third St.) is the sixth Transmission Water Main Replacement Project that SWBNO has replaced since 2021.  This transmission main program is funded by FEMA and managed by SWBNO in cooperation with the City of New Orleans as part of the Joint Infrastructure Recovery Roads (JIRR) Program. 

There are five future transmission main projects scheduled. These projects are needed to proactively replace water lines as part of SWBNO’s commitment to infrastructure resiliency and reliability, as outlined in our five-year strategic plan.

Questions about this project or Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans should be directed to 504-52-WATER (92837) or outreach@swbno.org.

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