Work could soon begin on an erosion problem along a drainage canal that crosses Bowmar Avenue by King David No. 2 M.B. Church.

The Warren County Board of Supervisors is expected to take and open bids on the project, which is funded by a Natural Resources Conservation Service erosion control grant that could pay up to 85 percent of the project costs.

“We received the grant for this because it is a small project, and we did not have any small projects in the county,” said board president Richard George.

The canal runs alongside the church property and crosses Bowmar just east of its intersection with Drummond Street. George said the project will help repair an erosion problem on the canal’s western slope, adding there is one serious problem area behind the church, and another major problem just north of Bowmar.

In other matters, the board:

• Will receive an update on the Warren County Port Commission from commission president Margaret Gilmer.

County and port officials are considering installing an E-crane on a pedestal at the Port of Vicksburg, for an estimated $4.3 million.

An E-Crane uses a design based on a parallelogram-style boom that provides a direct mechanical connection between the counterweight and the load to remain balanced.

The project involves installing the new crane on a pedestal next to the existing T-dock at the port, and building a two-lane bridge to it. That option would not only allow for access to the crane if something happens with the T-dock, it also gives the port an additional loading dock.

Smith said the E-crane project “would be the first Port of Vicksburg improvements made in a long time.”

County and port officials have discussed installing a new crane at the port since February. It is seen as a crucial element in an attempt by WATCO, which manages the port, to attract a new business to the port that is expected to double the port’s present off-loading.

The board Monday discussed floating up to a $5.5 million bond issue to fund the crane’s installation and several other capital projects.

• Discuss declaring trailer surplus and donating it to the Vicksburg Police Department. The trailer is one of two owned by the county. County emergency management officials want to donate the trailer to the police department because of its assistance in Grand Gulf drills and mutual aid with the county.