Rebuilding the Ravine

The Jaguar Community has found relief  after a long line of questioning in regards to  the construction of the bridge located across from the Intramural Complex Center. This site is one of the many projects being done to improve Southern University‘s ravine, which suffered damage from the Mississippi River. Some of the damages include erosion, floding, and a cracking foundation around the bridge.
 The University has a contract with the United States Army Corps. of Engineers of New Orleans and CKY Incorporated. The US Army Corps. of Engineers are on scene to supervise the site. The production of improving the ravine has been going on for months and could be longer. What many don’t know, is that workers are delayed when river tides come through the campus. Work resumes after the tide dies down.
Being that students use this bridge daily to get to the heart of campus, workers are making a conscious effort to protect the bridge’s foundation. 
Currently there are 150 forward pipes being installed to control the flow of the water and the create sufficient bridge stability. 
Endas Vincent, Assistant Director of Service Planning had discussed how these damages occurred. 
“In the spring time, the ice melts up north of the Mississippi River and the water in the river increases,” said Vincent. “Then the water comes into the ravine and stays there for a while until the water in the Mississippi River goes down and then the water succeeds and when it succeeds, it causes these damages.”
Flooding in the ravine happens when the Mississippi River gets too high and the water comes back in the ravine (overflowing) to where the street dips in specific areas located at the checkpoint near   Residential Housing.  Every time it rains, on campus students and commuters have to go around this area. This factor leads to erosion. 
 Freshman business major Taylor Williams, from Natchitoches said he is glad that improvements are finally being made.
“I believe these improvements to our campus will give us a new look and up to date campus,” said Williams. “That bridge really needed to be fixed and that spot that floods every time it rains, needs to stop,” Williams finished.
Vincent said the work being done on the ravine will be very beneficial for Southern University students, faculty, and staff.
“Our bridge will be much more stable and it will not collapse, it wont be a catastrophic failure,” said Vincent.  “The pipes would be designed so that water would not come out on the road anymore but we will eventually have to raise that road up as well.”