Spokane Valley-based N&N Excavation LLC is the apparent low bidder on a $1.8 million city project to replace water main pipe near Gonzaga Preparatory School, says city spokeswoman Julie Happy.

The project taking place will affect a roughly 1 1/2-mile stretch of Euclid and Dalton avenues and North Foothills Drive between Mayfair and Crestline streets. Work is expected to start mid-June and continue through the fall.

Work will include replacing an old section of water line on Euclid Avenue up to the Gonzaga Prep campus, and installing new line on the high school's north side, Happy says. Along with Euclid, the contractor will install new water line along Morton Street between Euclid and Dalton avenues; Dalton Avenue between Morton and Napa streets; and Napa Street between Dalton and North Foothills Drive. Existing water line will be replaced between Napa and Crestline streets along North Foothills Drive as well.

Plans call for the reconfigured water line to continue along Dalton Avenue to avoid the campus and a narrow alleyway where the water line runs currently, she says.

Happy says work also will include replacing storm drains and making some sidewalk improvements in the work area.

The project is being funded through a combination of city of Spokane water department capital improvement funds, sewer maintenance funds, and utility matching funds from the city's 10-year street bond program, Happy says.

The water department will fund the water main work, while sewer maintenance funds will be used for minor sewer repairs in the work area, Happy says. Street bond funds will be used to improve portions of roadway along the project area, particularly on Euclid Avenue between Mayfair and Morton streets, Morton Street between Euclid and Dalton avenues, and North Foothills Drive between Napa and Crestline streets.

The bid by N&N Excavation came in well under the engineer's estimate of $2.4 million.