A second phase to replace old clay sewer lines on Johnson Street in Russellville will now come to fruition since city council approved to enter into a contract Tuesday with the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA).

The first phase of the project was completed earlier this year and cost approximately $734,000 in grant monies obtained by the city from the Rockwell settlement and the KIA.

The contract the KIA is offering is for $800,000, half of which will be considered a grant which the city will not have to pay back with the other half having to be paid by the city of Russellville over the next 20 years at one percent interest.

Mayor Gene Zick said the city already had the matching $400,000 from the Rockwell settlement monies which were given to the city specifically for the Johnson Street water project along with the hospital hill water tank project.

“This is going to complete a project that has been needed for decades,” said Zick. “The lines in that part of town are very very old and are not big enough to adequately supply the needed flow. By accepting this money, we will be able to bring this section of town into the 21st century and that is something the taxpayers in that area deserve.”

Councilwomen Pat Bell was absent from the meeting.