NATCHEZ — A road closing might cause some inconveniences early next week, Public Works Director Robbie Dollar said.

A drainage issue on East Stiers Lane will force the city to close off a section of Smith Street at Martin’s Lane beginning at approximately 7:30 a.m. Monday, and it will probably stayed closed through Wednesday night, Dollar said.

“We’re hoping it will be done in three days, weather permitting,” he said.

City Engineer David Gardner said there are three small inlets, or openings that allow waters to leave the street and go into underground pipes, that need to be widened so water can drain off more quickly to avoid flash floods.

Widening the inlets should take a couple of weeks, he said, but the streets shouldn’t be closed for the duration of the project.

“This has been needing to be done for a long time,” Gardner said. “We probably have 40 linear feet of inlet extensions, and that will help with capturing the water and trying to keep the floods from the streets.”

Signage will be provided for detours for those who need to navigate the area, he added.

The project’s total cost is approximately $8,500, and Gardner said with the possible exception of hiring a few local contractors, all of the work will be done by city employees.