diff --git a/.github/release-please.yml b/.github/release-please.yml
index 654fffe76..1a2898400 100644
--- a/.github/release-please.yml
+++ b/.github/release-please.yml
@@ -14,3 +14,7 @@ branches:
     handleGHRelease: true
     releaseType: java-backport
     branch: 1.114.x
+  - bumpMinorPreMajor: true
+    handleGHRelease: true
+    releaseType: java-backport
+    branch: 1.116.x
diff --git a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
index f1bed551b..000c985d7 100644
--- a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
+++ b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
@@ -66,6 +66,22 @@ branchProtectionRules:
       - Kokoro - Against Pub/Sub Lite samples
       - cla/google
       - OwlBot Post Processor
+  - pattern: 1.116.x
+    isAdminEnforced: true
+    requiredApprovingReviewCount: 1
+    requiresCodeOwnerReviews: true
+    requiresStrictStatusChecks: false
+    requiredStatusCheckContexts:
+      - dependencies (8)
+      - dependencies (11)
+      - lint
+      - clirr
+      - units (8)
+      - units (11)
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: Integration'
+      - Kokoro - Against Pub/Sub Lite samples
+      - cla/google
+      - OwlBot Post Processor
 permissionRules:
   - team: yoshi-admins
     permission: admin
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 593f91dec..e682dceb1 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -58,13 +58,13 @@ implementation 'com.google.cloud:google-cloud-pubsub'
 If you are using Gradle without BOM, add this to your dependencies
 
 ```Groovy
-implementation 'com.google.cloud:google-cloud-pubsub:1.116.4'
+implementation 'com.google.cloud:google-cloud-pubsub:1.117.0'
 ```
 
 If you are using SBT, add this to your dependencies
 
 ```Scala
-libraryDependencies += "com.google.cloud" % "google-cloud-pubsub" % "1.116.4"
+libraryDependencies += "com.google.cloud" % "google-cloud-pubsub" % "1.117.0"
 ```
 
 ## Authentication