Construction work on replacing the culvert in North Boundary Canal could begin in late August, county manager David Clegg told the Tyrrell County commissioners July 17.

At the same time North Road Street surface over the canal must be raised 18 inches to accommodate the much larger drain pipe.

Meanwhile, Columbia aldermen are considering straightening a sewer line near the job site, “removing two 45s” and installing new pipe as far south as Green Street, according to Mayor James Cahoon. This work is outside the scope of the long-sought canal project, and the aldermen on July 2 asked town manager Rhett White to provide an estimate of the cost.

The larger culvert will allow more water to flow beneath the street following heavy rainfall, perhaps preventing flooding in nearby areas of the town.

The project will interrupt vehicular traffic on North Road Street between Green Street and Cemetery Road, perhaps as much as four or five days.