City receives $274,000 grant for Alderson Lane improvements

The City of Bonners Ferry received a grant for $274,000 to upgrade Alderson Lane.

Assistant city manager David Sims said the unique thing about this federal grant is that it does not require a match from the city.  This means that the city will not have to pay anything for the upgrade.

“This is going to happen on a pretty quick timeline,” said Sims.  “We have to have the design and plans in by mid-February and construction will take place early next summer.”

The area of the upgrade will be from Highway 95 to approximately 950 feet up Alderson Lane.

According to Sims, the road will be widened slightly, and an underground storm drain will be put in where the ditch is now.   A sidewalk also will be installed. That entire section of road also will be resurfaced.

Sims said the project will most likely require the entire grant.  The grant comes from federal funding therefore has to meet extensive regulations and additional requirements to meet federal standards.  This makes the cost substantial, according to Sims.

“When the city did the water master plan we identified the need for the replacement of a water line in the area,” said Sims.  “We are considering to use any money left over for this water line project.” 

Sims said he would like to see local companies bid on the project to help the local economy.  The contracts will go out for bid and be required to go to the lowest bidder, according to Sims.

A neighborhood meeting will be held late this fall at a date to be announced.  The city will present  the project and allow people to voice their concerns, ideas and opinions. 

The city projects the construction to be completed by next summer.