Inland Asphalt Co., of Spokane, is the apparent low bidder for a project that involves reconstructing Second Avenue through downtown Spokane, as well as work on other associated streets there.

Inland bid $3.2 million to rebuild Second from Sunset Boulevard east to Howard Street, as well as Madison, Jefferson, and Adams streets between Riverside and Fourth avenues. Work is expected to begin in mid- to late July under the contract. Work on the north-south streets is slated for completion in October, and the Second Avenue portion is to be completed in late November or early December, says city spokeswoman Ann Deasy.

Also included in the project will be the replacement of a 12-inch diameter water main, storm water catch basins, sidewalks, communication conduit and wire, and traffic signals along the route.

During most of the project, one lane of Second and all of its intersections in the project area will remain open, although all of Second will be closed to traffic when the final layer of asphalt is laid down, Deasy says.

Inland Asphalt's bid was $400,000 below the city's low estimate of $3.6 million for the project. The project will be paid for with a combination of funds from the 2004 10-year street bond and the city's water and wastewater departments.

Meanwhile, MRM Construction Inc., of Ellensburg, Wash., has won a contract with the city for a project to reconstruct Addison Street between Francis Avenue and Standard Street; Standard between Addison and Colton Place; and Beacon Avenue between Dakota and Nevada streets. Curb ramps will be installed where needed, and storm drains will be upgraded, Deasy says.

MRM Construction bid $1.7 million for the project, $200,000 below the city's low estimate of $1.9 million. That project also will be funded by the 10-year street bond and the city wastewater department, Deasy says.