NATCHEZ &045; The money is in the bank.

The City of Natchez has received $2 million appropriated from the Mississippi Department of Transportation to help with the drainage improvement project in north Natchez.

The city will put the money in escrow for use in the North Natchez Surface Water Improvement Project, city attorney Walter Brown said Tuesday.

Receiving the money now means the city will not lose the grant, which will help match a $6 million federal appropriation for the project.

MDOT was able to provide the grant because Canal Street &045; above Natchez’s major drainage canal &045; has been designated a gaming route.

MDOT’s contribution, which was approved in the 2004 legislative session, meant Natchez did not have to provide the match to the federal grant.

City Clerk Donnie Holloway said in a statement that the city is appreciative of MDOT officials, especially Commissioner Wayne Brown and MDOT Director Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown.

Also on the state level, Holloway thanked Sen. Bob Dearing and Phillip West &045; who worked on the project as a state representative before being elected mayor.

West could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Holloway also credited Alderwoman Joyce Arceneux and city engineer David Gardner.

&uot;This will be one of the largest capital improvement projects ever initiated in the city, one that is absolutely necessary to protect our infrastructure for decades to come,&uot; Gardner said. &uot;The city is extremely grateful to those local, state and federal parties who have contributed to getting this project funded in full.&uot;

The improvement project is likely to last 12 to 18 months. Most of that time will be spent rehabilitating the existing brick arch underground drainage structure under Canal Street.

The project will also put new surface water pipes leading to the arch structure.

Part of MDOT’s contribution also includes streetscape improvements along Canal Street.