POCATELLO — The city has announced that beginning on Monday the Center Street Underpass will close to kick off the second phase of the First Avenue storm sewer project.

This phase of storm sewer construction on First Avenue will stretch from East Lewis Street to East Clark Street, resulting in the Center Street Underpass being closed for several weeks.

This is a separate project than the Center Street Underpass renovations that are expected to be completed by the end of the year. The renovation project does not yet have a firm start date but once it begins the underpass will be closed again.

The renovations will include improvements to the underpass’ infrastructure like retaining walls, sidewalks and handrails along with the construction of a new walkway and stormwater maintenance building. A pedestrian bridge on the west side of the underpass will also eventually be built, allowing pedestrians to move from one side of Center Street to the other without interference from vehicles.

The city is hoping to complete the First Avenue storm sewer project by late May, at which point the underpass should reopen just in time for summer.