Austin City Council members unanimously agreed last week to move forward an almost $5 million street reconstruction project this summer.

Public hearings were held for each part of the five-part project during the regular council meeting, although the last section — which is an alley improvement — has no assessment requirement.

The rest of the project will advance only after a street improvement assessment hearing is held, which will be on March 20.

A few property owners spoke at the hearings. Most questioned the need for improvement to streets which, to their mind, looked in pretty good shape.

Looks, however, can be deceiving, Mayor Tom Stiehm indicated.

One block in a proposed section of work, according to the homeowner, had been fixed in 2000. However, as she was told, the road probably received a “mill and grind,” meaning an overlay was laid, but no reconstruction was done.

The projects this summer will not only replace roads, curb and some pieces of sidewalk, they will install drain tile in some spots, rep lace sanitary and storm sewer services in some stretches as well as line some sanitary sewer lines to help prevent inflow and infiltration said assistant city engineer Mitch Wenum. Austin Utilities will also work on water and gas lines in some areas.

Another resident wondered why the street would be widened by a foot and the curb replaced.

“I just can’t see it’s worth the cost,” he said.

But Stiehm again addressed, the comment, noting that it was not the curb and gutter, or widening, that was the intent. Having to replace infrastructure beneath the road means tearing up the road; the widening comes because that is the best time to do it, if it is to be done. The reconstructed streets will be widened to accommodate a bike lane and, as Councilwoman Judy Enright said, the newer street vehicles that are bigger than they used to be.

Public works staff also emphasized that replacement of deficient curbs, streets and sidewalks, not only improved the look of the city, but provided a higher level of safety.

Residents affected will have different payment options for assessment: If they pay the full amount by Oct. 31, no interest will be charged, or if they pay 50 percent by that time, there will be no interest on the half, but the remainder will be added to taxes, spread out over 15 years with interest. If you pay nothing by Oct. 31, the full amount will be applied to taxes with interest. Seniors over the age of 65 who financially qualifies and lies on the property the assessment may be deferred with interest until the property is sold.

The project breaks down accordingly:

Fourth Street Northwest to 12th Street Northwest:

Cost: $2.1 million, funded by assessments, state aid, Stormwater Utility Fund and Wastewater Treatment Plant funds.

Assessments: $147,970, figured on $44 per linear foot frontage for street assessment; $120-$175 range for sidewalk panel replacement, depending on 4-inch or 6-inch depth.

Schedule: Begins mid-May and will take five months.

Temporary gravel street crossings at Eighth, 11th and 12th streets.

Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Avenues Northwest:

Cost: $900,000, funded by assessments, Local Street Fund, Stormwater Utility Fund and Wastewater Treatment Plant funds.

Assessments: $149,100, figured on $44 per linear foot frontage for street assessment; $120-$175 range for sidewalk panel replacement, depending on 4-inch or 6-inch depth.

Schedule: Begins mid-July and will take three and a half months to complete.

Intersections will remain open throughout the construction period.

Sixth Street Southeast to 16th Street Southeast:

Cost: $800,000 funded by assessments, Local Street Fund, Stormwater Utility Fund and Wastewater Treatment Plant funds.

Assessments: $157,730, figured on $44 per linear foot frontage for street assessment; $16.50 per linear foot frontage for mill and overlay work; $14 per linear foot of curb, where none exists.

Schedule: Begins at the end of the school year and will take three and a half months.

First, Second and Third Streets Southwest; Fourth and Fifth Avenues Southwest:

Cost: $910,000, funded by assessments, Local Street Fund, Stormwater Utility Fund and Wastewater Treatment Plant funds.

Assessments: $222,550, figured on $44 per linear foot frontage for street assessment; $16.50 per linear foot frontage for mill and overlay work.

Schedule: Begins mid-June and will take three and a half months.

Temporary gravel driveways will be constructed from Main Street to the First Street cul-de-sac for First Street resident parking.

Northeast Alley, south of Fourth Avenue from Ninth to 10th Street Northeast:

Cost: $100,000, funded by the Local Street Fund and Stormwater Utility Fund.

Schedule: Begins in September and will take one month to complete.