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 deck was recently poured and infrastructure continues to go in in preparation for paving the new street. The new parking lot at May Street is also taking shape as curbs are installed. Currently, May Street is on track to reopen early this winter!
Around City Park Lake and Lake Erie, many of the planted native species are in bloom! Landscape maintenance is ongoing to remove weeds and cut back new growth periodically in the newly landscaped areas. Landscape contractor Rotolo Consultants, Inc. (RCI) was recently retained to continue maintaining the new shoreline landscapes through October 2027.
 Recent drone shot of May Street construction |
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 Swamp sunflower in bloom around the Lakes |
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Phase 2A Dredging
Phase 2A dredging, which included the northern half (approximately) of University Lake and College Lake, is complete!
Phase 2 Landscaping
Shoreline landscaping is continuing to progress as crews work west to east around the South Lakeshore peninsula. The contractor is now landscaping the third and final segment of new shoreline along South Lakeshore Drive. Maintenance of the completed shoreline areas and islands is ongoing.
 Native grasses blooming near May Street and Dalrymple |
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 Watering newly seeded turfgrass along S. Lakeshore Drive |
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Phase 2B
Dredging of the southern half of University Lake began in early 2025 and is scheduled for completion this November. The new green space across from the Lod Cook Alumni Center at LSU and the expansion to BREC's Wampold Park are continuing to take shape!
 A recent aerial photo showing progress in University Lake |
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Campus Lake
Dredging continues and is scheduled for completion by the end of November 2026.
 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 | $54,185,957 | Dredging CMAR |
Brown Industrial | $11,732,480 | May Street Contractor |
Sasaki | $4,528,835 | Master Designer |
Stantec | $2,490,384 | Flood Risk Reduction Designer |
CSRS/B&D | $2,233,000 | Project Advisor |
RCI | $3,666,887 | Landscape Contractor |
Unawarded Landscape | $1,151,057 | Landscape Installation & Maintenance |
GeoEngineers | $608,042 | Geotechnical Engineer |
Fenstermaker | $529,317 | Surveyor |
J&W Contractors | $185,570 | Miscellaneous Repairs |
Big Gator | $77,500 | Brush Clearing |
Terracon | $41,070 | Consulting Engineer for May Street |
Eisner Amper | $25,375 | Audit |
Taylor Porter | $23,008 | Insurance |
G&S Aerial | $15,457 | Vegetation Management |
Louisiana Pond Management | $18,000 | Vegetation Management |
Bayou Tree Service |
$10,100 | Vegetation Management |
Unawarded Path Construction | $875,850 | Shared Use Path Construction |
TOTAL | $85,403,162 |
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 to Date | $991,754 |
TOTAL | $83,328.054 |
