UPDATE: LA Highway 22 Drainage Improvements Project & Beautification Project

Beau Chene HOA held a town hall meeting on October 2nd at the Beau Chene Country Club.  Speakers included Patrick McMath, State Senator for District 11; Kim Carver, State Representative District 89; Kathy Seiden, Parish Councilwoman for District 4; Dalton Williams, DOTD District 62 Engineer Administrator; and Chris Hnatyshyn, Executive VP of Kyle Associates, LLC. The topics discussed were the Hwy. 22 Drainage project and the Hwy. 22 Beautification project.  

Here is the status of the drainage project:
The scope of the project is to redirect the drainage (rainwater runoff) on both sides of Hwy 22 starting at Dalwill Dr. on the south side and On Path Credit Union on the north side and prevent it from flowing into Beau Chene Subdivision via the 36” pipe leading under the subdivision fence behind Take 5 Oil Change. Instead, the drainage will be sent under the highway near the Causeway 190 intersection and south to Bayou Chinchuba. Additionally, two 36” pipes that currently bring water from the south side of  Hwy 22 to the north side and into Beau Chene will be closed off.  (See the attached map of Hwy 22 with the project scope indicated in pink lines)

This $10 million dollar project was designed by Kyle Associates, LLC and is currently under final comment period by LA DOTD.  The goal is to get the project bids out and a contract finalized by the end of 1st quarter next year.  Construction is estimated to take 12-14 months.  

This project will directly benefit Beau Chene drainage in the eastern portion of the community including Acadian Lane, Evangeline Drive, & Maringouin Lane and reduce a significant portion of runoff flowing currently downstream into Bayou Tete L’Ours. 

Status of the beautification project:
Senator Patrick McMath was successful in obtaining state funds totaling $500,000 to be allocated for a beautification project along Hwy 22 bordering our Beau Chene community.  These dedicated funds were included in St. Tammany Parish’s capital budget for 2024 because the parish will manage the project.  Kyle Associates, LLC has been hired to create the scope and design of this project.  Just a week ago, they had the property surveyed.  The next steps include creating guidelines for location, type of plantings/vegetation, etc…

Cristina Donovan
CAO, Beau Chene Homeowners Assoc.