The City of Kenai has successfully replaced an eroding storm line that caused significant bluff erosion near Bryson Avenue. That’s according to Kenai Public Works Director Scott Curtin, who said Wednesday the project is near completion. The Kenai City Council expedited funding and contracting for the project at Curtin’s request during their Sept. 1 meeting.

The pipe in question, which Curtin estimates has been there for decades, carries stormwater from Redoubt Avenue to a drain near Bryson Avenue, but was leaking water through rusty connections. Those leaks destabilized the surrounding bluff, as parts of it were carried away during storm events.

Curtin said Wednesday that in the month since the city council approved funding and contracting for the project, the city has replaced the impacted stormline and installed a new manhole. Curtin said restoration of grades on the project, which is about 80% complete, could be done by the end of the week, weather permitting.

The only other element of the project will involve laying topsoil and planting grass, which Curtin said the city will do in the spring.

“It will be nice to have this (project) behind us,” Curtin said.

Including design and construction costs as well as city administration and permit fees and the additional contingency approved by the city council in September, the project is expected to cost around $375,000.

Work was completed by Foster’s Construction, which offered the lowest bid of $310,000, and which Curtin said has been “very focused” on getting the project done.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.