Closure of North Road Street in Columbia has been postponed a second time to 9 a.m. September 17, Tyrrell County Manager David Clegg announced Friday morning.

On-site message boards had been announcing the original closure would commence at 9 a.m. September 4. That was changed to September 10 on August 31.

The traffic interruption is necessary to allow RPC Contracting of Kitty Hawk to install a much larger culvert in North Boundary Canal and then elevate the street surface over the culvert and its approaches between Green Street and Cemetery Road.

Difficulties in delivery of a 7.5×35-foot metal military footbridge and some pipes were said to be behind the delay, Columbia town manager Rhett White said Sept. 4.

The closure could last up to six weeks, Clegg said.

On August 31 Dr. Jana Rawls, Tyrrell Schools transportation director, announced school bus route revisions.

“School personnel have been planning the best way to get students from the Soundside and Riverneck areas to school with as little disruption to our normal schedule as possible,” Dr. Rawls stated in a media release.

“We have planned for students to transfer between buses at the Road Street closure location. The county has planned for a foot bridge to accommodate pedestrian traffic. We plan to utilize this bridge in order for students to make the transfer between buses. Doing so will prevent students from being on the buses an extra 30 minutes each morning and afternoon because of the detour.

“Please understand that we have carefully considered the safety of our students. The county manager has assured us that the pedestrian bridge will have handrails for safer passage. There will also be adult supervision present to assist the students as they make the transfer. In addition, we are planning to have the older students hold the hand of younger students during the passage over the bridge.

“We appreciate parents’ understanding as we work through this transition period. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Travis Twiford, Superintendent, or Dr. Jana Rawls, Transportation Director, at 252-796-1121. Thank you for your continued support of Tyrrell County Schools.”