The owners of property along Highway 282 will pay a total of $200,000 in assessments for an upcoming, controversial $3 million highway reconstruction project. 

Tonight, Jordan Finance Director Tom Nikunen, Public Works Director Dave Bendzick, Bond Counsel Martha Ingram, and City Attorney Annette Margarit told the Jordan City Council that charging residents less than the proposed $200,000 would be illegal, and the council unanimously voted to pass the assessment roll with a few minor changes.

Owners of corner lots in the project area previously paid assessments of roughly $500 for some of the proposed work, which includes replacing the city's oldest water lines, dating back to 1926. Those who've paid portions of their assessments were not asked to pay the full $5,000 asked of each homeowner. Instead they will pay about $4,500.

Proposed work between the intersection of highways 21 and 282 west and the Highway 282 bridge over Sand Creek consists of replacing the water main, sewer main, stormwater system, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, streets, and streetlights. Cities normally don't replace water lines and water shutoffs on private property, but that work is also included in the project if residents individually sign right-of-entry agreements with the city.

"We are doing them a large favor by replacing this segment of the water lines which are over 80 years old," Nikunen wrote in a memorandum to the council.

The city is advertising for contractors to bid to do the project, which is scheduled to begin in May.