Finding a solution to the homeless problem has long been a topic of conversation in New Orleans. With budget cuts looming and worries about encampments growing, there are safety concerns to consider as well. Scott Boyle is District Engineer Administrator at the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and says fires created by homeless people living in encampments under local bridges have created costly and lengthy construction and maintenance issues.
“Within the last nine days, we’ve had three fires that have occurred under our infrastructure,” Boyle explained. “Two of those fires by Costco by I-10, the Carrollton and Airline interchange, and one early Sunday morning by the Loyola entrance ramp to the Crescent City Connection bridge and that one was a very significant encampment fire. We’re still determining whether or not we’ll be able to get that ramp back open,” he went on to say. Boyle says that safety is of utmost importance to make sure motorists are not harmed by the damage being done. He does warn, however, that the process of assessing the damage and doing the construction work could take months and the price tag could be millions of dollars.
In one encampment fire last week, photos from witnesses showed 30ft. flames cresting over the Airline offramp from I-10. Boyle credits a quick response by the fire department for preventing what could have been a potentially devastating situation to the infrastructure. Assessing the damage done to all the affected bridges will take time and need to be analyzed by consultants to ensure there isn’t a risk to the public using these roadways. Boyle advises public patience as there are many complex parts that will need to be inspected by professionals before these areas can be safely re-opened for full use. Temperatures are expected to take a notable plunge in the coming weeks and those without shelter may turn to fires for warmth in those cold conditions. That chilly snap is of particular concern to officials trying to handle this issue as well.