A total of $3.88 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds will drive the completion of four Bismarck road projects this construction season.

The first will be West Main Avenue between the Memorial Bridge and Washington Street.

Its work will consist of concrete repairs, road panel replacement, shoulder work and new signage.

The $1.37 million project will be paid by 100 percent stimulus dollars.

Its bids will be opened June 5 at the North Dakota Department of Transportation office. The bids must still be approved by the Bismarck City Commission.

Dale Heinert of the city engineering department said work typically begins about one month after the bids are opened.

Two of the city's one-way thoroughfares also will see major construction this summer. Seventh Street between Bismarck Expressway and Boulevard Avenue will see major work. It will be bid with its sister project, Ninth Street between Bismarck Expressway and Boulevard Avenue, on June 19.

Combined, the two projects are estimated to carry a $2.4 million price tag, but they will receive $1.06 million in stimulus money.

Work will involve mill and overlay, new asphalt, new pavement marking, handicapped ramps and five blocks of concrete pavement repairs near the underpasses.

Construction is expected to start in late summer. He said work will begin near the curbs and storm sewers. One to two lanes would be closed at a time for milling.

A July 17 bid has been set at the NDDOT for work on North 19th Street between Century Avenue and Oregon Drive.

A ground water collection system will be added to both sides of street and the road will be completely reconstructed.

Reconstruction improvements are expected to cost $736,000. It is eligible for $855,000 in federal grants with 100 percent applied to the 19th Street portion. Heinert said extra stimulus money is available for the bid if it exceeds estimates.

Work also will be done along side streets for Utah Drive and Oregon Drive. That part of the project also will be special assessed.

A July 17 bid has been set for mill and overlay work on South Washington Street stretching from the Bismarck Expressway and south to a storm sewer ditch near Solheim Elementary School. Projected cost is $682,000. The project is eligible for a $592,000 grant.

Heinert said the majority of the projects should be completed by late October. Seal coat work will be done in the summer of 2010.

(Reach reporter LeAnn Eckroth at 250-8264 or leann.eckroth@;bismarcktribune.com.)