For the next month or so, drivers who normally use Marie Foster Street might want to consider an alternate route as a portion of the busy street is now closed.

Beginning Friday morning, crews with Tri-County Construction began work replacing the culvert and repairing the pedestrian areas on Marie Foster Street near Rangedale Apartments.

“The area had suffered some severe damage there by cars hitting the railings and it had become dangerous — very dangerous — to drivers and pedestrians,” Selma Mayor George Evans. “So, we are going to close the street, repair the problems and hopefully be done in 30 days or less.”

The city council approved the repairs during their Jan. 10 meeting and the bids for the work came in at $66,366.

“It is one of those projects that has to be done,” Evans said. “It’s a danger, it’s a hazard to the citizens. So, we are going to get it done and it will actually end up widening the street in that area, making it even safer.”

While the sidewalks near the work area are passable, torn up concrete, as well as bent and shattered railings, has made the area a danger to those walking or driving.

City officials urged residents and drivers to be patient during the construction process and — if possible — find alternate routes of travel that do not include this portion of Marie Foster Street.