World Photo by Jolene Guzman Work to smooth streets and sidewalks in Coquille starts Monday. The project — on Central Boulevard between First and Second streets and repaving on the first two blocks of First Street — is scheduled to take 35 days, depending on the weather.

COQUILLE — People say that Oregon has two seasons: rain and road construction. This month in Coquille the two might mix.

The Coquille City Council has awarded a sidewalk repair and street repaving bid to Laskey-Clifton Corp. Work begins Monday. The $212,384 contract is for replacing the sidewalks on the east and west sides of Central Boulevard between First and Second streets, and paving the first two blocks First Street from North Adams to North Collier streets. The should take 35 days, but the city is expecting some weather days.

“We do allow for rain days,” Public Works Director John Higgins said. “Certainly we wouldn’t expect them to work in the rain.”

The city is paying for a portion of the sidewalk replacement and paving with the 3-cent-per-gallon surcharge on gasoline sold in the city.

And when most construction costs seem to be increasing, Coquille did get a break on this project. Laskey-Clifton’s bid was $107,000 lower than the city engineers’ estimate.

The work will involve replacing curbs, handicap access ramps, changing a couple of driveways, digging out soft spots where the road is failing and some grinding down sections of the street, especially where the road tapers into the gutter. Higgins said the contractor will do its best to keep the roads open as the work progresses.

“We will try to maintain access to Safeway and other businesses along the street,” Higgins said. “However, this is like any other construction project. There will be inconveniences.”

He asked that people driving in Coquille during the construction be patient with possible delays.

“It will be really nice when it’s finished,” he said. “The end result is usually worth it.”