A Natural Resources Conservation Service grant is helping fix drainage and erosion problems throughout Columbia.
The ditches that the grant repaired are on Lumberton Road, Connor Avenue, Owens Street and Cemetery Road, Mayor Justin McKenzie said.
The work at Cemetery Road and Old Mississippi 35 involved replacing two culverts that had rotted out.
On Owens Street running south from Conner Avenue, there were two blocked culverts and quite a bit of erosion. The city was able to shore that up with riprap, clearing any debris affecting the water flow and shoring up the sides to prevent erosion.
The biggest project was the west side of Lumberton Road behind the Exxon gas station. Rock was added to prevent further erosion, and the area was shored up to allow better drainage.
The total cost of the project was $268,150. Federal funding covered 75 percent, which was $201,112, and city’s part to match was $67,037 plus the cost of the two culverts, which were about $6,000.
The city pays its portion directly to the NRCS, and the NRCS was in charge of bidding out the project and paying the contractors.
McKenzie said the work is just about completed. He said the process for the grant began for the current board in July 2017. It has taken time to get it all planned and ready.
In addition McKenzie said additional drainage/erosion issues are being done. One of them is at the Columbia Primary School property alongside a dry creek, and the other is off Askew Street. On Askew work is being done to build up an area that has been washing out and shore it up.
The city is still working on a Community Development Block Grant project for water and sewer improvements of $611,000. The grant has been approved, and bidding should begin soon.
In other news, McKenzie said with the Christmas celebration going on downtown businesses have said they are pleased with their sales.
“I think it is a great opportunity for businesses to step up and welcome these people to town. We want to put on our happy face.”
