Bulkhead constructed at Charenton Canal site

Some 150 feet of bulkhead is being installed at the site of the Port of West St. Mary’s industrial park on the Charenton Navigation and Drainage Canal.
Southern Constructors of New Iberia is building the bulkhead as the site moves closer to fruition. A loading pad is to be constructed in the future.
“That’ll stabilize that bank and get everything in position to receive cargo,” Executive Director David Allain said in a recent interview.
Drainage improvements are also under way. The port commission recently approved rehabilitation of a 24-inch pump to clear standing water from the site just south of the overpass on US 90 at Baldwin. Cleco has committed to running power to the pumps at no charge.
“We’re hoping that in the future, with such a good location right off of US 90 and with the water access, those are two assets,” Allain said.
The property can be subdivided to accommodate nearly any sort of tenant.
The City of Franklin originally acquired the property during the administration of former Mayor Sam Jones. It was later transferred to the Port of West St. Mary.
(Photos by Colin Murphey)