The New Orleans Department of Public Works (DPW) is expanding its operations to include in-house concrete work for the first time in two decades, with plans to tackle crumbling infrastructure across the city.
“The goal is, moving forward, is that we’re gonna start pointing crews at multiple locations to double, triple our output to make sure we’re working to knocking down this backorder that we have and making sure that we’re getting these jobs done in a timely expeditious manner,” said Scott Boyle, newly installed DPW deputy director.
Boyle explained that the department is not only demolishing old concrete but also mixing, laying, and setting new concrete without contractors. “Right now we’re tracking at approximately 2,400 linear feet of sidewalk. We’re at approximately 19,000 linear feet of potholes that are patched, so we’re looking at those numbers to make sure that production rate are that they’re increasing,” he said.
The initiative is funded in part by bond funds approved last November, which have helped cover the costs of 42 new employees, equipment, and materials. However, budget cuts could pose challenges to the department’s ambitious plans.
“It’s not a zero-sum issue,” said Steve Nelson, DPW director.
“Budget cuts are always tough, but having that flexibility with the bond funding is what’s gonna allow us to continue to deliver and increase the level of delivery we have,” said Nelson.
DPW is also preparing its crews for similar projects across the city.
“All 26,000 blocks will have an assessment of their condition, the recommended remediation, and then a cost that will be associated, and that’s what’s gonna drive whether or not we’re using internal crews versus contractors,” Nelson said.
The department has begun assessing road conditions and expects to have a full evaluation of every city block by 2027.
READ MORE:Road Patrol: New Orleans public works expands in-house concrete operations
