LSU-Alexandria seeks funding for drainage

ALEXANDRIA — LSU-Alexandria Chancellor David Manuel says heavy rains from Hurricane Isaac have exposed drainage problems on campus.

Manuel said that a drainage collection system has been estimated to cost up to $5.4 million.

“LSUA was not designed as a campus. It was plopped down in the middle of a (Oakland) plantation,” said Manuel, who walked through six inches of water to get to his office Friday morning.

He canceled classes Friday because of the standing water across the campus.

The classes missed by students Friday were in addition to the classes missed when officials closed school Tuesday afternoon through Thursday because of Isaac.

Manuel said the drainage system that would collect and distribute water to a line that flows to the Chatelain Lake drainage canal a few miles east of campus.

Manuel said a request for funds has been to the Louisiana Board of Regents.

LSUA’s project would install drainage culverts in open ditches and rebuild and widen some roads on campus.