LAPLACE — Flooding relief is just around the corner for residents of LaPlace’s Foxwood Subdivision.

At the last St. John the Baptist Parish Council meeting, a contract was awarded for construction of the Foxwood Area Drainage Improvements Project to lowest bidder LA Contracting Enterprises, LLC at a total cost of $1,783,383.

Parish officials said this project includes construction of a levee surrounding the Foxwood Subdivision. Once completed, the levee will extend along the north side of the Foxwood Subdivision from the LaPlace Plantation Canal to the existing LaPlace Park Levee. The project also includes an internal pumping station and elevation of the entrance to Foxwood.

Parish Communications Director Paige Falgoust said work on the project is expected to start next month.

“The contract time is 180 days,” she said. “Clearly this is all weather dependent; however, if all goes as planned, we could complete the project by the end of the year.”

District 4 Councilman Marvin Perrilloux, whose area of representation includes the subdivision, said residents are expressing their excitement about the project.

“They are ecstatic,” Perrilloux said, adding the levee will bring a sense of relief to residents. “They can’t wait until this levee is complete.

“From town halls meetings, to neighborhood visits, to phone calls, this project is finally here.

“This item I kept on the front burner, because this was a needed improvement for the Foxwood residents for safety from high waters and to protect their biggest investments — their homes.”

Perrilloux said the levee would protect Foxwood, and the subdivisions of Sugar Ridge, New Era and The Grove.

“Thanks to the Council, Natalie Robottom and her administration for supporting me on this project and closing out grants to find the money,” Perrilloux said.

Parish Chief Administrative Officer Michael Coburn said the majority of the project is funded through a Gustav/Ike Community Development Block Grant, with the remaining amount funded through the 2009 bond issue.

“Foxwood Subdivi-sion has experienced flooding since it was constructed, and this long-awaited project will alleviate that problem,” Parish President Natalie Robottom said. “I commend my team for working through the permitting, property acquisition and servitude issues to get to this point.

“However, success will not be accomplished until the project is completed and the residents of Foxwood are protected from recurring flooding.”