NATCHEZ — The overlaying of four major arteries in Natchez began Monday, and City Engineer David Gardner said the project is barreling forward.

The process of overlaying Homochitto, Martin Luther King Jr., Franklin and St. Catherine streets began with the milling of Homochitto Street.

“We’re trying to remove areas along the edge that are really built up over the years (and are) really higher than they should be,” Gardner said.

He said at some points, the asphalt has built up so high there is an actual visual drop-off point, especially by gutters.

Homochitto Street did not have much build up, therefore did not require much milling, Gardner said.

With the milling crew freed up after completing the first street, they then moved on to Martin Luther King Jr. Street.

Gardner said that street is going to require a lot of milling attention.

“On parts of Martin Luther King Jr. Street we’ll mill whole parts of the road,” he said from one curb to another. “It’ll be a lot more involved there.”

The way the system is set up is that aside from the milling crew, there are two others — one for raising manholes and valves and the other for laying asphalt.

The crews will work simultaneously but just on separate streets.

Now that Homochitto Street has been milled, the manholes and valves will be raised. While that’s taking place, the milling crew will have moved on to Martin Luther King Jr. Street.

This flow will move from Martin Luther King Jr. Street to Franklin and then finally end with St. Catherine Street.

The construction on the streets has caused lane closures and will continue to do so until the project is completed Dec. 5, Gardner said.

“I know it’s an inconvenience for motorists. I really encourage them to avoid those areas,” he said.

But if not, he cautions drivers to obey the flagmen’s instructions and to drive slowly.