Nearly five years after Hurricane Ida tore through Louisiana’s coast, repairs to a damaged section of the commercial dock in Grand Isle are complete, restoring additional space for the local fishing fleet.

According to a report from WDSU, the Grand Isle Port Commission has finished repairs to the West Slip of the Commercial Dock, a project officials say will allow more commercial fishing vessels to lease slips at the port.

The work included replacing 377 feet of vinyl sheet bulkhead, along with upgrades to walkways, pilings, and parking access areas. Port officials said the project created at least six new slips for commercial fishing boats operating out of Grand Isle.

Funding for the repairs came through a FEMA Hurricane Ida Public Assistance Grant, the state of Louisiana Capital Outlay Program, and Jefferson Parish.

“It has been a long and challenging process since Hurricane Ida to secure sufficient funding for this critical project,” the port’s executive and president of the Ports Association of Louisiana, Weldon Danos, noted. “We are proud to have overcome those obstacles and are pleased to see the Port return to full operation in support of our local commercial fishing industry.”

The port commission also credited Pat Connick and Joe Orgeron for helping secure additional state funding for the work.

Created in 1996, the Grand Isle Port Commission oversees commerce and traffic at the port of Louisiana’s only inhabited barrier island. The port serves commercial fishing, petroleum, and tourism industries along the Gulf Coast.

The completed repairs restore working capacity lost during Hurricane Ida and provide additional docking space for commercial fishermen, supporting seafood businesses and related jobs in the Grand Isle area.