The University Lakes Restoration Project team reminds the public that May Street is closed to all traffic between Dalrymple Drive and East Lakeshore Drive.
This applies to vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
REIMAGINE THE
LAKES
Exciting changes are coming to
the University Lakes System.
A partnership between LSU and
state and local partners is working
to create a more sustainable lakes system through ambitious environmental restoration that will also add tremendous recreational value for all people of Baton Rouge.
What's Happening at the Lakes?
Phase 1
The May Street bridge is starting to take shape! The channel is open, the girders have been installed, and the construction crews are preparing to install the bridge deck and approach slabs. Grading and earthwork are also currently underway east of the channel.
The project team is developing a new guide to help residents and visitors identify the native plant material that has been planted around the lakes, including a flowering schedule. Look for this new resource on the website soon.
Landscape maintenance is ongoing to remove weeds and cut back new growth periodically in the newly landscaped areas. The project team is also creating a long-term maintenance guide for the lakes.
 May Street bridge and channel |
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Phase 2A Dredging
Dredging in the northern half of University Lake is mostly complete. The contractor will be dredging in a small cove near E. Lakeshore Drive and Christian Street over the next few weeks, as Phase 2A wraps up.
Phase 2 Landscaping
Landscaping of the newly created island near West Lakeshore Drive is also complete, as are shorelines at the corner of May Street and Dalrymple. The new islands near South Lakeshore Drive and Stanford Avenue have been planted with native material. The landscape contractor, RCI, has cleared and is currently planting the new shoreline along Stanford Avenue, between S. Lakeshore Drive and Milford Wampold Park.
 Site preparation at the new shoreline along Stanford Avenue |
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Phase 2B
Dredging of the southern half of University Lake began in early 2025 and is scheduled for completion this September. The new green space across from the Lod Cook Alumni Center at LSU, as well as the expansion to BREC's Wampold Park, are continuing to take shape!
 Geotextile tubes shaping the expansion at Milford Wampold Park |
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Campus Lake
Dredging continues and is progressing nicely!
 Mechanical dredging in Campus Lake |
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Presentation from
Public Meeting
June 9, 2026
High School students and BR Green planted Cypress trees at University Lake
January 23, 2026
Contracts & Amounts
Contracts | Payments | Task |
|---|---|---|
Sevenson | $54,057,657 | Dredging CMAR |
Brown Industrial | $11,549,859 | May Street Contractor |
Sasaki | $4,523,010 | Master Designer |
Stantec | $2,492,384 | Flood Risk Reduction Designer |
CSRS/B&D | $2,077,387 | Project Manager |
RCI | $3,177,365 | Landscape Contractor |
Unawarded Landscape | $2,645,838 | Landscape |
GeoEngineers | $613,883 | Geotechnical Engineer |
Fenstermaker | $536,267 | Survey |
J&W Contractors | $123,000 | Drainage |
Big Gator | $77,500 | Brush clearing |
Terracon | $41,000 | Consulting Engineer May Street |
Eisner Amper | $25,375 | Audit |
Taylor Porter | $23,008 | Legal |
G&S Aerial | $9,956 | Drone Sprayer for invasive aquatic vegetation |
TOTAL | $81,973,489 |
Funding
Funding | Amount |
|---|---|
Capital Outlay | $52,750,000 |
CBDG | $10,000,000 |
EBR | $5,350,000 |
BREC | $5,000,000 |
LA DOTD | $5,000,000 |
LSU Foundation | $4,186,300 |
LSU | $50,000 |
Interest Earnings | $1,038,976 |
TOTAL | $83,375,276 |
