NATCHEZ — The Canal Street hump has been lowered, and next comes paving.

City Engineer David Gardner said crews will put asphalt inside what is left of the hump Monday, and paving will soon follow.

“It’s going to take several days to do it,” Gardner said.

Approximately 12 inches was shaved off the hump March 12. Gardner said work to pave the hump would have started sooner, but a water line break slowed the process. The water line has since been repaired, but crews had to wait for the hump to dry to begin paving.

Work to lower the hump was incorporated into the overlay of the downtown central business district financed by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The hump became a hot-button topic after five teenagers were injured in an accident New Year’s Day. The GMC pickup the teenagers were traveling in apparently topped the hump, causing the driver to lose control. Two of the teenagers are still recovering from their injuries.

Following the wreck, the City of Natchez purchased $4,500 worth of building materials for solar-powered flashing light signs warning motorists of the hump.

The signs are installed on the northbound and southbound lanes. Rumble strips were also laid down as a signal for motorists to slow down.