Inland Asphalt Co., of Spokane, is the low bidder on a $1.6 million project to rehabilitate a half-mile stretch of Columbia Avenue between Division and Post streets, as well as several surrounding residential streets in the Franklin Park neighborhood on Spokane's North Side.

City spokeswoman Ann Deasy says construction on the project is expected to begin in mid to late May, with completion at the end of August.

The intersections of Columbia, Nebraska, and Joseph avenues at Division will be closed through the duration of construction, and drivers should use Queen or Central avenues from Division to access residential streets in the Franklin Park neighborhood, Deasy says.

Local access will remain open to the residences along the streets that are to undergo construction, she says.

The city's engineering department has recommended the City Council award the construction contract to Inland Asphalt, she adds.

Sections of north-south residential streets that are to be repaved as part of the project include: Atlantic Street between Joseph Avenue and Columbia, Calispel Street between Joseph and Francis Avenue, Post between Rowan and Dalke avenues, Normandie Street between Nebraska Avenue and Joseph, and Howard, Stevens, Washington, and Whitehouse streets between Rowan and Columbia.

In addition to Columbia, east-west residential streets that will undergo rehabilitation work include: Joseph between Post and Division, Franklin Court between Calispel and Atlantic, Nebraska between Post and Division, and Rowan between Wall and Whitehouse streets.

The project is being funded with proceeds from the city's 10-year street bond.