Claudet: Money on the way to elevate Terrebonne’s Island Road

Terrebonne Parish is receiving federal funds to elevate Island Road, the only route leading to the Isle de Jean Charles community in southwest Terrebonne, President Michel Claudet announced at last week’s parish council meeting.

The parish-owned road, parts of which have been badly damaged by hurricanes Gustav and Ike last year, will be raised to four-and-a-half feet at a cost of $5.3 to $5.6 million, Claudet said.

The money is coming from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which was created in 1988.

Work is scheduled to be completed by the spring on the two-mile long road, Claudet said.

“This is the best news we’ve had,” he said.

Around 22 families live on Isle de Jean Charles, many belonging to the Biloxi-Chitimacha tribe.

At the parish council’s Oct. 14 regular meeting, council members Kevin Voisin and Clayton Voisin objected to putting parish money into repairing the road because of potential damage from future storms. Councilman Alvin Tillman supported spending parish funds to fix the road.

Community leaders recommended moving the residents to higher ground. In a letter read out at the meeting, state Sen. Butch Gautreaux (D-Morgan City) said land had been identified in Bourg around 15 miles north that is suitable for island residents.

But most island residents said they preferred to remain in the community, believing the road should be repaired.