CHESAPEAKE — Work began Monday on the first phase of a long-term streetscape project to replace sidewalks and curbing in the downtown section of Chesapeake.

Crews from Fields Excavating of Kitts Hill are replacing approximately 600 feet of sidewalk in the 600 block of Third Street, around the Post Office and across the street.

This phase is being funded with $97,000 in Community Development Block Grants that will cover the cost of designing, engineering and inspection.

Design work, including replacing curbs and doing edge lines of the pavement and traffic lines, was done by E.L. Robinson Engineering.

“We are trying to get more sidewalk money,” Chesapeake Mayor Dick Gilpin said. “I think we have another $50,000 from the commissioners to do a section next year. That is the plan.”

That will put sidewalks in front of St. Ann’s Church in the upper east end of the village.

“Eventually we will replace them all,” Gilpin said. “When you don’t have much money, it takes time.”