Pearl River Sewer Relocation

Summary:

The Pearl River Sewer Relocation project rerouted and upgraded an aging 6-ft x 9-ft brick sewer, while opening development opportunities in Lafayette’s historic downtown. In the late 1800s, Lafayette encapsulated the Pearl River, a naturally occurring stream, which also carried substantial sanitary flows, into the underground brick arch sewer system for health and safety reasons. 

The sewer’s location restricted development in the present-day downtown area. The project relocated the sewer out of these areas and onto public right-of-way. Construction included approximately 2,400 feet of 12-inch to 48-inch sanitary sewer in an area dense with turn of the century utilities, numerous service connections, and protection of architectural and historical features. A commercial/residential development project and a City Public Safety building and parking garage are already under construction along the former sewer route!