Carthage officials are preparing to begin long-awaited repairs on Summit Street after Tropical Storm Chantal washed out the road in July and left it closed for months.
The storm made landfall on July 6 and brought significant rainfall and flooding to the region, particularly affecting cities and towns in central North Carolina. Heavy rain caused the small creek under Summit Street to overflow and overwhelm the culvert drains. The surge washed out the road’s foundation and caused the asphalt to collapse.
Town leaders have worked with engineers and state partners since the storm to assess the damage and determine the safest long-term fix.
The process slowed as the town waited for federal relief. According to the Town of Carthage website, Governor Josh Stein requested federal disaster relief from FEMA in August. In September, the federal government approved $32 million for recovery efforts, and Carthage received confirmation on September 30.
Carthage officials said they could not move forward until the FEMA process was complete because emergency funds come with strict inspection and documentation requirements.
“If we had paid for this repair immediately from local funds, it would have cost taxpayers over half a million dollars,” the town reports. “By following the FEMA process, we can use disaster relief dollars instead.”
Engineers evaluated two repair options: the first called for replacing the damaged drains with two 54-inch pipes similar to the original design, while the second proposed installing a box culvert with greater capacity and durability.
“After careful review, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on November 17, 2025, to install box culverts at a cost of $566,705,” confirms the town. “This solution is designed to withstand future storms and provide a long-term fix.”
The Town is finalizing a contract with the Fred Smith Company, the selected contractor. Construction will begin once state inspectors clear the project for funding and compliance.
Carthage officials said they will keep residents updated as work moves forward. Summit Street will remain closed until repairs are complete.
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~ Article by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Photo via Town of Carthage.
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