Topping things off STAFF PHOTO BY PHIL REYNOLDS Workers put the final layer of asphalt on Brundrett Street between Alister and Oleander streets as part of a drainage project. As part of the project, Brundrett Street also got curbs and gutters and a sidewalk along the north side of the street - residents said they didn't want a sidewalk on the south side. Oleander was also rebuilt, and sidewalks were put on both sides of that street. Port Aransas last week wrapped up the first of several projects designed to improve drainage throughout the city, as well as repaving two streets.

Known as the Oleander Street project, the job involved laying new 42-inch-wide storm sewers from the intersection of Beach and Alister streets down to Brundrett Street, then across to Oleander; and another storm sewer the length of Oleander Street from Avenue A to the outfall at the city harbor.

The project is designed to stop flooding during heavy rains on Avenue A from Alister Street to a point just beyond Oleander Street; on Alister Street at Beach Street; and surrounding areas.

Those areas drain toward Oleander, and the feeder line that goes into the Oleander Street pipe begins at Alister and Beach streets.

By Friday, Feb. 15, crews had finished the final repaving of Oleander Street and were putting the finishing touches on asphalt along Brundrett Street from Alister to Oleander.

The project was nearly a year in the making and nine months worth of work. Budgeted at $2.3 million, the project, done by, from Island Construction, was finished for $347,540 under the estimated cost.

Because the city council told City Manager Michael Kovacs to find the money elsewhere in this year's budget, the project wasn't paid for as part of the bond package voters approved in November 2006, although those projects all involve streets or drainage or both. In making the decision, council members said the Oleander Street project is important enough to proceed with instead of waiting for the election.

Besides the storm sewers and repaving, the project also added sidewalks, curbs and gutters to both Brundrett and Oleander streets.

Work is also under way in various stages on several voter-approved street and drainage projects totaling $2.7 million. That money is earmarked for projects that will improve East Cotter Avenue, Leslie Lane, South Station Street, La Rhonda Street, Alister Street, Avenue A and several storm water outfalls. Most of the projects are in the older sections of the city.