The City of New Orleans Department of Public Works has partnered with Hard Rock Construction Company, LLC. to complete infrastructure improvements as part of the Desire Group C (RR028) Project. Designed by LHJ, this $21.1M FEMA-funded effort will improve 74 blocks and includes full reconstruction, which covers subsurface repairs, surface restoration, and streetscape enhancements.
This work is part of the Joint Infrastructure Recovery Request (JIRR) program, the City’s most comprehensive infrastructure rebuilding initiative in a generation. Through a partnership between the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO), the JIRR program aims to restore infrastructure damaged by historic storms and years of deferred maintenance. For an overview of the JIRR program, click here to view the fact sheet.
A pre-construction community meeting was held on August 12, 2025 at the Desire/Florida Multi-Service Center. A copy of the community meeting presentation can be found by clicking on the link here.
Subsurface work includes the installation of new underground utilities, which will improve drainage and service reliability. Once that work is complete, surface repairs will follow, providing a smooth, newly paved roadway. The project also includes streetscape improvements such as ADA-compliant curb ramps at intersections, along with sidewalk and curb repairs to enhance accessibility and pedestrian safety.
Project Locations:
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Abundance Street (3200 block)
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Acacia Street (3100-3200 blocks)
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Alja Meyers Place (3200 block)
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Apache Street (3200 block)
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Benefit Street (3200-3300)
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Chickasaw Street (3200-3500)
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Clover Street (3200 block)
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Desire Parkway (3600 block)
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Desire Street (3600-3800 blocks)
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Edna Street (2700-2800 blocks)
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Ford Street (3900 block)
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France Road (3200-3900 blocks)
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Hiawatha Street (2850 & 2900-3100 blocks)
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Humanity Street (3200-3300 blocks)
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Iroquois Street (4000-4100 blocks)
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Johnny Jackson Jr Boulevard (Riverbound) (2700-2800, & 3800-3900 blocks)
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Liberty Terrace Drive (2700 block)
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McFarlin Street (3900 & 4050 blocks)
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Metropolitan Street (3600, 3640, 3700, 3760, 3800, 3850, 3900, 3950, & 4000 blocks)
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Morrice Duncan Drive (3300 block)
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Myrtle Street (3200 block)
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Old Gentilly Road (4000 block)
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Packard Street (3800-3900 blocks)
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Piety Street (2700-3500 blocks)
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Pleasure Street (3200-3000 blocks)
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Pocahontas Street (2800, 2850, & 3000 blocks)
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Powhattan Street (2800, 2840, 2900, & 3200 blocks)
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Saint Ferdinand Street (3300-3800, & 4000 blocks)
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Simmons Drive (100-300 blocks)
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Stutz Street (4000 block)
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Tecumseh Street (2850 block)
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Treasure Street (3200-3300 blocks)
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Ursula Spencer Way (2900 block)
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Velie Street (4030 block)
The Department of Public Works will manage the project through completion. Crews will generally work Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with weekend work as needed.
Traffic control measures, including signage, fencing, and “No Parking / Tow Away Zone” notifications, will be implemented in active construction areas. Local access for residents, deliveries, and emergency services will be maintained at all times.
Please Note: Construction schedules and timelines are subject to change due to inclement weather, equipment availability, or unforeseen site conditions.
Stay Informed
Text Alerts Sign up for text alerts to be notified when work will require major road closures, emergency water shutoffs, or other significant impacts in your area or text ROADWORK to 77295. Create a profile and select the "roadwork" alert list.
Newsletter Updates Receive regular email updates on active DPW construction projects.
Follow Us on Social Media
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Nextdoor: Construction updates, notifications, and service disruptions
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Instagram (@nola_publicworks): Project highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and key announcements
QUESTIONS: If you have questions about the project, please contact the Department of Public Works at 504-658-8036 or email the Project Team.
The Project Team:
- CNO Communication Specialist: Ajenavi "ACE" Eziemefe
- DPW Project Manager: Andres Gonzalez
- General Contractor: Hard Rock Construction Co., LLC.
The Desire Group C (RR028) Project is one of three included in the City’s FEMA Optimized Group 3 (NOFOG) program.
Project Updates
Traffic Advisories
Two-Week Construction Look Ahead
See what construction activity is planned for Desire Group C over the next two weeks. This update highlights where work may affect parking, traffic, and access to homes or businesses.
View the Desire Group C Two Week Look Ahead
Schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change due to inclement weather, equipment availability, or unforeseen site conditions.