GONZALES - Ascension Parish officials hope two major drainage projects will provide parish residents with increased flood protection.

A floodgate, which will help alleviate backwater flooding from the Amite River, is expected to be finished next spring, while a sixth pump at Marvin Braud could go online within the next two months.

Together, the two projects will cost the parish approximately $36 million, a savings of roughly $25 million below the initial cost estimate.

Parish President Tommy Martinez said the Henderson Bayou structure will protect nearly 500 homes, and parish officials previously estimated roughly 17 miles of roads would be protected as well.