A planned Boardman River wall stabilization and sewer relocation project will kick off Tuesday in downtown Traverse City.

Work will begin in the 200 block north alley of East Front Street. The project will include wall stabilization along the Boardman River to protect a trunk line 24-inch sanitary sewer main that serves the entire west side of Traverse City and portions of Garfield and Elmwood townships. Work in the alley will begin at Cass Street and continue east toward Park Street. The project will be conducted in sections and is anticipated to be complete by early February, weather pending.

Traffic will be maintained in the alley, but may be disrupted when workers are present. Beginning in March, work will be conducted on the river wall and railing with an anticipation of completion in May. In addition to the Boardman River wall stabilization, the relocation of the 24-inch sanitary sewer away from the river wall in the 100 block of East Front Street is anticipated to begin in April.

This summer, the city approved up to $8 million in bonds for water and wastewater improvement projects. The Boardman River wall stabilization project will total nearly $2.5 million and will be funded with bonds through a state program offering low-interest loan rates.