Crumbling sidewalks and growing safety concerns are prompting the city of Langley to repair a portion of Anthes’ sidewalk.

Rick Hill, Langley’s city public works director, said this week that contractors will start work this month to replace approximately 150 feet of sidewalk on the west side of Anthes, in front of the former Blackfish Gallerio studio and Whidbey Island Antiques.

“It’s a safety issue,” said Hill.

Hill said construction on the sidewalk will begin March 17 and could take as long as two weeks.

To be replaced is the existing curb, gutter and sidewalk. In order to complete the project correctly, Hill said a portion of the street used as parking will also be removed. He said the gutters are currently at the wrong elevation and need to be redone properly to effectively control storm water runoff.

Each sidewalk will have a uniform 2-percent grade toward the street, according to Hill.

Hill said the city of Langley will be in contact with the tenants of the affected buildings to consider alternate methods for customer entrances.

All southbound traffic traveling from First Street to Second Street will be rerouted during construction, according to Hill, and reduced parking will be available in construction off hours.

Part of the repair contract, which was won by Island Asphalt of Clinton, includes stormwater culvert repair on Sixth Street. The company will replace a failed stormwater culvert, and install a new culvert and catch basin, according to Hill.

He said work on Sixth Street will be completed March 24-28, and have minimal impact on traffic.

Total cost for the sidewalk and culvert work is $42, 237.