By JENNIFER CONWAY
Staff reporter
Plans are slowly paving the way for the reconstruction of one of Langley’s most problematic streets, Anthes Avenue.
On June 18, the Langley city council authorized Mayor Lloyd Furman to sign an agreement with Davido Consulting Group for the design of an Anthes Avenue water main replacement project for $5,220. The action is the first of several that is expected to transform a bumpy, off-kilter section of the road into a smooth one.
The construction, set to take place between Fourth and Sixth streets, will cost the city approximately $74,000, according to the Davido’s preliminary cost estimate.
The water main replacement is just a third of the project. According to city public works director Rick Hill, the water main work will be completed in conjunction with a repaving of Anthes Avenue and the construction of a walkway and sidewalk. Those projects are tentatively set to begin March 2004. The cost to repair Anthes Avenue will cost approximately $300,000, with funds coming from federal and state grants.
In the construction proposal, water main work is estimated to be finished in four weeks. Hill said construction on Anthes and the sidewalk/walkway could take longer, but he won’t know how long until Langley gets through the planning process. Hill said sidewalks or walkways are planned for both sides of the street from Second Street to Sixth Street.
At the June 18 meeting, Hill said the water main construction is part of Langley’s comprehensive plan, and will come out of the water improvement fund.
Hill said the project will replace the current 4-inch pipe with 8-inch pipe. That will increase the water flow and will aid fire flow to the downtown area.
In an interview last week, Hill said extra pavement along Anthes will create more runoff. A biological assessment will be made before the project begins, he said.
Despite the increase of pavement, Hill said no private land needs to be acquired.
Hill said a number of public meetings will be held before the project begins.
In addition, a paving project is scheduled on Anthes before Choochokham begins on July 12. Hill said a thin maintenance overlay will be put down between Second and Third streets. He said he expects construction will be finished before July 4.
