Major Work to Begin on Comite River Diversion Project

摘要

Substantial construction is set to begin this month on the Lilly Bayou control structure, which is to be built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as the first element of the $163-million Comite River Diversion Project, near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Intended to protect residents of the Comite River basin from floods, the project is designed to divert approximately 50 percent of the water from the Comite River during a flood and convey it westward 12 mi (19 km) to the Mississippi. Authorized by the Water Resources Development Act of 1992, the Comite River Diversion Project will be carried out in Louisiana north of Baker and south of Zachary between the Comite and Mississippi rivers. The undertaking includes a 130 ft (40 m) wide, 350 ft (107 m) long diversion structure along the Comite River; an 8 mi (13 km) long, 300 ft (91 m) wide, 14 ft (4.3 m) deep diversion channel; the Lilly Bayou control structure; and six bridges to accommodate the four state highways, two parish roads, and two rail lines that will pass over the channel.