Carthage officials say repairs to Summit Street are finally moving ahead after Tropical Storm Chantal washed out the roadway in July. The storm caused the creek under the street to rise quickly, overwhelming the old culvert system and collapsing the pavement.

Engineers spent weeks assessing the damage, and the town waited for federal disaster funding before moving forward. Governor Josh Stein requested FEMA aid in August, and Carthage received its funding confirmation on September 30. Officials say following federal guidelines takes time but saves taxpayers from covering more than half a million dollars in repair costs.

The town reviewed two repair options and ultimately chose a larger, more durable box culvert designed to better withstand future storms. The Board of Commissioners approved the $566,705 project unanimously on November 17.

Carthage is now finalizing a contract with the Fred Smith Company, and construction will begin as soon as funding and compliance steps are complete. Town officials say they will keep residents updated as work progresses.