Parish President Guy McInnis announced the return of construction on the first phases of the St. Bernard Parish Mississippi River Trail.   Trail construction was halted in 2018 due to the high-water level in the Mississippi River and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ construction ban along the river corridor when water levels are high.   Constructed is by Barber Brothers Contracting.

The first phase of the trail will span three miles starting at the east side of Valero Refinery and proceeding east to the Violet Canal.  Additional phases will continue the trail downriver to the Plaquemines Parish line and upriver to Paris Road.

“With the long-awaited resumption of construction on Phase I&II of the Mississippi River Trail, recreational opportunities in St. Bernard Parish will soon take a great leap forward.  The completion of this project is a major component of the St. Bernard Parish Bikeway and Pedestrian Plan” said Susan Klees, representative of Bike St. Bernard advocacy group.  

Funding for this project is provided by a U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Grant and is administered by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.   “We have been fortunate to receive funding and support from a number of local and regional partners on this project.  In addition to the grants, we received early funding and technical support from the Regional Planning Commission for the greater New Orleans area, and a substantial property donation from the Meraux Foundation to create a trailhead in Violet” said Howard Luna, Parish Councilman and member of the St. Bernard Parish Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee.