LULING – A major drainage canal on the west bank of St. Charles Parish that bisects much of the Mimosa Park subdivision will get additional culvert upgrades thanks in part to a Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant, according to parish officials.

The more than $1.1 million grant was awarded to parish officials just before the Christmas holidays, said parish spokesperson Renee Simpson. She said the funds will pay for replacement of the existing 60- and 72-inch round corrugated metal and concrete culverts with larger 12-foot-by-5-foot concrete box culverts.

Simpson said the box culverts will be installed at the crossings of Monsanto Street, Oak Lane, River Oaks Drive, St. Anthony Street/Diane Drive and St. Nicholas Street/ Lagattuta Boulevard. The work will improve drainage flow along the canal to the Cousins pumping station in order to prevent home and street flooding in the area.

“We are pleased to be able to continue the improvements along the Primrose Canal, which are very needed,” St. Charles Parish President V.J. St. Pierre Jr. said.

“With the upgraded efficiency at the pump station due to bar screen cleaners, this project will provide a long-term solution for efficiently moving water away from residences,” he added.

Simpson said the project is set to go to bid in early 2012 with construction happening soon thereafter. Councilman Dennis Nuss, who represents the area that includes the canal, said the work would help to greatly reduce the risk of flooding in the Mimosa Park area.

“Proper drainage flow in the Primrose Canal is critical to the residents living in my district,” Nuss said.

Simpson said the parish’s funding match on the project is 25 percent, or about $379,000. Previously, collapsing culverts were replaced with a concrete bridge structure at Maryland Drive and a box culvert at Wade Street.