WALKER — The city of Walker was awarded an $8.95 million Louisiana Watershed Initiative grant to fund major drainage improvements aimed at boosting long-term flood resilience, city officials announced Tuesday.

City leaders said the funding will support significant upgrades to the local drainage system, which has been a priority since the 2016 flood. The grant is part of ongoing efforts to address drainage deficiencies and reduce the community's vulnerability to future flooding.

The city said it has worked with professional consultants to study drainage issues, identify problem areas and recommend projects to improve watersheds. Officials say the grant represents an important investment in these long-term solutions.

The Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining 40 miles of roadside drainage ditches within the city, excluding state and federal highways. Since 2016, the department says it has replaced hundreds of driveway culverts and cleaned and re-profiled many miles of ditches.

Officials said the city recently reached an agreement with the state government and design-build contractors over the Geaux-Wider Project. City leaders expect construction to begin soon on improvements intended to reduce the impact of the I-12 center median barrier, which restricted floodwater movement in 2016.

The city has also partnered with Livingston Parish Government and Gravity Drainage District No. 5 to clean more than 19 miles of drainage ditches south of Walker. This project is part of a regional effort to restore the drainage system and improve water movement through the watershed.

Officials say drainage challenges extend beyond city limits and require cooperation among municipalities, parish government, drainage districts and state agencies. The city plans to provide weekly updates on the regional drainage project, including progress reports and photographs as work continues.