NATCHEZ &045; The U.S. Corps of Engineers has finalized a cooperative agreement with the city to improve the drainage system of north and downtown Natchez.

City Attorney Walter Brown said during Tuesday’s Board of Aldermen meeting that the agreement had been finalized.

&uot;That allows us to apply for (more) funding in the future&uot; for that project, City Engineer David Gardner said.

So far, the city has received about $362,000 from the Corps for the project, only enough to pay for engineering work and perhaps a little construction.

The Board of Aldermen on Tuesday authorized Mayor Phillip West to sign the agreement.

Crews from Hartman Engineering of Picayune started surveying work on the project earlier this year on the project.

Once construction starts &045; tentatively, this summer &045; the first priority will be to shore up the inside of the underground brick arch with concrete and bricks.

The city has received $2 million from the Mississippi Department of Transportation to match appropriations from the Corps for the project.

In addition to repairing the aging brick canal under Canal Street, the project &045; which should take 12 to 18 months to complete &045; will include repairs and other improvements to the street itself and upgrades to tributary drainage ditches throughout north Natchez.

The age of the system has led to sinkholes in addition to contributing to flooding in north Natchez. The canal caved in March 2003, taking out part of the front yard and sidewalk in front of the Canal Street post office.