Oak Harbor Street is in line for a full makeover.

“We’re going to take that country roadway and turn it into and urban street,” city engineer Eric Johnston said at a public works standing committee meeting last week.

The new roadway’s amenities will include bike lanes, landscaping, sidewalks and lighting, he said, comparing the project – in terms of size and scope – to the Pioneer Way downtown revitalization.

City engineers will be on hand at an open house meeting on the project, Thursday, Nov. 12, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Concordia Lutheran Church, 590 N. Oak Harbor St., to answer questions on the proposed improvements that will affect Oak Harbor Street between Whidbey and Crosby Avenues.

City engineers estimate the project will cost slightly more than $2 million, and will be funded through gas tax revenue, traffic impact fees and federal and state grants, according to city documents.

The project will, undoubtedly, affect traffic along Oak Harbor Street, Johnston said. Construction is slated to begin in March or April of 2010.

In addition to the open house meeting, the council will consider an agenda bill at the Nov. 17 City Council meeting to advertise for construction contract bids for the Oak Harbor Street improvement project.

For more information about the open house meeting, call Arnie Peterschmidt, project engineer, 279-4525, or email apeterschmidt@oakharbor.org.