For Immediate Release, Tuesday, October 31, 2006 

Preparations for Home Demolitions Begin Tomorrow Along Highway 11 

            Equipment will begin arriving tomorrow, November 1^st, to demolish homes along U.S. Highway 11, south of Slidell, that were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.  These demolitions are part of FEMA’s Private Property Debris Removal Program, administered for St. Tammany Parish by Camp Dresser McKee.   

            “These demolitions are mainly over water,” said Project Engineer Joe Shoemaker, coordinator of the program for St. Tammany Parish.  “Working over the water, in close proximity to the power lines, requires special preparation and equipment.  It will take about a week to get the equipment in place.” 

            The demolition of between 15 and 20 homes, mainly on the west side of the highway, should begin around November 8^th. 

            “Meetings with the debris removal contractor, Omni Pinnacle, are taking place this morning,” said Parish President Kevin Davis.  “We want to minimize any potential interruption of traffic along Highway 11 during this time while still maintaining high safety standards.  The majority of the work will be done from the water.”