RESERVE — Drainage relief is on its way for the following areas of Reserve historically prone to flooding: Terrance Street, W. Eighth Street, Marmillian Loop, Toni Drive, W. Second Street, W. Fourth Street, Cornland Drive and Hart Drive.

According to St. John the Baptist Parish officials, the Reserve Drainage Project Phase II includes installation of a subsurface drainage system including replacement of existing mis-sized culverts or addition of new concrete culverts in the existing system of ditches.

Parish President Natalie Robottom recently received authorization to award the bid for construction of the drainage project to Byron E. Talbot Contractor, Inc. for a total amount of $2,772,797.50.

The project, designed by Shread-Kuyrkendall & Associates, is 100 percent funded through a FEMA/ Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness mitigation grant from hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

Phase I of the Reserve Drainage Project completed improvements to W. First Street from Cornland to Railroad Avenue and Parker Lane from Leblanc Street to Railroad Avenue in 2011. It was funded through the 2009 Bond Issue.

Another segment of the project, funded through the 2014 Bond Issue, included drainage improvements along E. 27th, E. 26th, Melius, and E. 24th streets in Reserve beginning at Perrilloux Drive. This was completed in 2018.

Phase II of the project was delayed to due permitting issues and a lengthy process of securing approval from FEMA and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, according to St. John the Baptist Parish administration.

Parish President Natalie Robottom is pleased to see the project move forward.

“After tireless effort and coordination, we are pleased that the project is finally coming to fruition and residents in these areas can get relief during heavy rain events,” Robottom said.

District II Councilwoman Julia Remondet said the project has been in the works for 11 years.

“Thank you to Congressman Garret Graves for his assistance, as I know the residents who live here are more than ready to see the project move forward,” Remondet said.

“Additionally, CN Railroad has approved crews to clean culverts in the area, so we are looking forward to major improvements in the upcoming months.”