NATCHEZ &045; Minor Street, by city officials’ own admission, was once thought of as one of the most rundown streets in Natchez.

But late last week, crews began moving utility lines to make way for improvements to Minor Street &045; and, if they stay on schedule, will soon begin paving over those outdated perceptions.

Natchez Waterworks crews began Thursday moving water and sewer lines in preparation for the first segment of the improvement project, the segment closest to Martin Luther King Jr. Street.

Meanwhile, crews from project contractor Camo Construction of Vidalia were starting to construct retaining walls before partial excavation of yard lining Minor Street begins.

&uot;It should take about 10 months&uot; to complete the project, City Engineer David Gardner said.

Ground was broken in June for the project is being done with $720,000 in federal road funds and a $180,000 city match set aside for the project.

As part of the project, crews will widen the street to 24 feet and add a sidewalk and a parking area along one side of the street.

Curbs and gutters and storm drains will be added to help siphon rainwater to underground pipes, alleviating drainage problems and erosion.

As it now stands, Minor Street is used as a cut-through from Concord and Brenham avenues to Martin Luther King Jr. Street but is so narrow it can barely accommodate one-way traffic.

In addition, poor drainage causes rainwater to run off and erode property on neighboring streets.