The Times (Shreveport)

The Port of Caddo-Bossier breaks ground on new project

- Makenzie Boucher

One of northwest Louisiana’s largest economic engines broke ground Wednesday on a new project that will usher in over millions of gallons of water from Bossier City.

“This is a great day,” said Tommy Chandler, Mayor of Bossier City. “Today is a great day for our Port, the Port of Shreveport-Bossier, and a great day for both Bossier and Shreveport.”

Representa­tives from Port of Caddo-Bossier joined leaders from Bossier City to break ground on a new waterline that will supply water to underdevel­oped portions of the Port.

The Port is on 4,000 acres piece of land located at the head of the Red River Waterway. It serves as a multimodal transporta­tion and distributi­on center and is currently home to 17 national and internatio­nal companies that employ more than 1,700 workers.

According to the Port, the new waterline will be bored 100 feet under the Red River and will extend from Parkway High School to the Port in Caddo Parish. “It’s over a six mile stretch just to take it from its existing terminatio­n point in Bossier City, all the way to the Caddo Port,” said Eric England, Executive Port Director.

This waterline extension was approved by Bossier City Council in April 2023, but has been in the making for the last five years. With the help of Bossier City Councilman David Montgomery and Port Commission President Walt Bigby Jr. a plan was created to extend water capacity at the Port.

This plan will take water from Bossier City’s Red River Water Treatment Plant, which was recently upgraded and can handle up to 50 million gallons of water a day. This project will benefit Bossier City because it will be collecting profit from the sale of the water to the tenants.

“I truly believe the residents of Bossier City will benefit greatly from this venture,” said Montgomery. “By allowing the Port to tap into our water system, we will increase city revenue and at the same time create new jobs for our residents.”

According to a study by the Trade and Industry Developmen­t, every job created at the Port equals four jobs created in neighborin­g parishes of Caddo and Bossier.

“I believe this waterline will bring new opportunit­ies,” said Chandler.

According to the Port, this project will be financed with a low-interest loan and will cost around $35 million. England said, “this waterline is the first step for the Port to upgrade our new sites for potential tenants.”

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.

 ?? MAKENZIE BOUCHER/SHREVEPORT TIMES ?? Port of Caddo-Bossier and Bossier City Officials break ground for new Port waterline on Wednesday.
MAKENZIE BOUCHER/SHREVEPORT TIMES Port of Caddo-Bossier and Bossier City Officials break ground for new Port waterline on Wednesday.

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