BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — The Comite River Cleaning Project was successfully completed, according to Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome.

Broome announced the completion on Wednesday. She said the project, which began in March 2023 and removed over 7,800 tons of debris, was set into place to progress the drainage system in East Baton Rouge Parish.

The Comite River is important for drainage in Baker, Central, Zachary, and north Baton Rouge.

A budget of three million dollars was allocated for the project, along with $2.5 million from the City-Parish and $500,000 from the City of Central.

“This larger drainage initiative includes the removal of 25.4 million pounds of debris from 96 miles of drain pipes and 4,573 storm drain structures. Additionally, more than 20,000 tons of debris have been removed in various creeks and bayous, including Bayou Manchac, Claycut Bayou, Ward Creek, and Elbow Bayou,” said Broome. “My administration remains dedicated to enhancing drainage infrastructure, reducing flood risks, and ensuring the continued growth and prosperity of East Baton Rouge Parish.”

During the Great Flood of 2016 Mayor Broome, along with thousands of residents, experienced awful flood damage, leaving their homes in unstable conditions.

“She has dedicated roughly one-third of our American Rescue Plan funds to drainage in East Baton Rouge Parish. So, we’ve done all of the other things like the storm drain cleaning, the repairing of the sinkholes, cleaning out Bayou man shack where Creek, Jones Creek, things of that nature,” said Mark Armstrong, Mayor’s Office Chief of Communications.

Broome plans to include other cleaning projects such as Dawson Creek, Whites Bayou and Cypress Bayou.

“Mayor Broome promised when she came into office in 2017 that she was going to make drainage a priority. Today she is keeping that promise. This is very significant,” said Armstrong.

Over 900 sinkholes were repaired, 822 roadside ditches and drainage issues were resolved, and 10 concrete-lined canals were fixed, the mayor’s office added.

Click here to view the online dashboard to keep track of the drainage projects in East Baton Rouge.