Today, Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter, and Governor Jon Bel Edwards, alongside Southern University Chairman Edwin Shorty, and Southern University President-Chancellor Ray Belton, announced $7.62 million in funding for the Southern University Ravine Protection project in East Baton Rouge Parish.
The federal grant money from the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service will be awarded to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for the $35 million Bayou Baton Rouge erosion improvement project to preserve Southern University’s ravine.
Storm runoff and river fluctuations are eroding the bank of the bluff adjacent to the university, endangering the school’s facilities, utilities, historic oaks, as well as the safety of students, staff, and community members who visit the area according to state leaders.
If the erosion mitigation project did not happen, it is estimated to cost $43 million in infrastructure damage.
Congressman Carter says the project and the funding will save the university from damaging erosion.
“This is more than funding for a drainage project, this is a move that will protect and shore up this historic HBCU for the next generation,” said Congressman Carter.
“This $7.62 million investment from the USDA’s Emergency Watershed Protection Program that I secured will do more than put a band-aid on this problem, it will be a long-term solution to protect Southern University — and this beautiful community space — from tumbling down the bluff. This is yet another example of this Congress and the federal government showing up to invest like never before in infrastructure solutions for the people of Louisiana.”
“Investing in our state’s infrastructure is a top priority and funding plays a critical role in its preservation and expansion,” said Gov. Edwards. “This administration has committed ourselves to not only securing additional funding on the state level, but also on the federal level to provide quality infrastructure projects throughout the state. I would like to express my gratitude to our congressional officials and want to thank Congressman Carter for his continued support to improve Louisiana’s infrastructure and to DOTD who applied, and was awarded this grant.”
