Among the City of Williamsport streets to be paved this year is Fourth Street from Mulberry to Hepburn, skipping over Market Street, in time for the Grand Slam Parade and Little League World Series.

City Council has approved a resolution awarding construction services for the Community Development Block Grant reconstruction project to M&J Excavation Inc., a company based in western Luzerne County.

The company was among the lowest responsible bidder at $595,059, said Bill Scott, city engineer. This is to pave seven streets throughout the city.

The streets are Center Street, High Street to Memorial Avenue; Memorial Avenue, Walnut Street to Center Street; Elmira Street, Park Avenue to Kramer Court; West Third Street, Arch Street to Poplar Street; Polar Street, West Third Street to Federal Avenue and the downtown stretch of Fourth Street from Mulberry to Hepburn streets, jumping over Market Street, which is maintained by the state Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

The city received four bids.

Scott said he was a bit surprised with the asphalt prices being a little unsteady, so the city is happy with this bid.

A separate paving contract will be coming out soon using state liquid fuels funds.

In total, there’ll be about $1.2 million worth of paving projects.

He made special note that paving downtown is to be done before the parade and the series.