The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) wishes to thank Louisiana’s congressional delegation for its pivotal role in securing an additional $25 million in 2020 that will significantly advance a critical flood reduction project for the West Bank.

Through the diligence of Reps. Steve Scalise and Cedric Richmond, and Sens. Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy, the additional federal funding was incorporated into the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2020 Work Plan. It will pay to expand two more sections of the Gen. de Gaulle drainage canal under the South East Louisiana Urban Flood Control program, or SELA, further reducing the risk of street flooding in Algiers.

“This is an incredible show of support from our federal partners,” SWBNO Executive Director Ghassan Korban said. “Their perseverance and hard work, considering the competition for federal dollars across the country, is remarkable. This new funding will directly benefit our West Bank residents by continuing to enhance their flood protection.”

The $25 million will allow the Corps to pursue Options 1 and 2 of the Algiers Gen. de Gaulle SELA project, widening that canal to 40 feet between Illinois Street and Westbend Parkway. This will supplement similar work already underway this year between Westbend and Behrman Place.