Federal stimulus money will be put to work on Bainbridge next week.

A road widening project on Blakely Avenue, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will mark a final phase in road improvement work near Blakely Elementary School. A new sidewalk, drop-off area and traffic islands were installed last year using a federal transportation grant.

The project was one of three in the county chosen by the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council to receive federal stimulus money.

According to a city press release, the contract was awarded to Liden Land Development and Excavation on July 8. Liden submitted a low bid of $46,639, roughly $50,000 less than had been budgeted. The remaining money will be returned to KRCC to be redistributed.

According to the city, bringing the project in under budget may help Bainbridge secure more federal funds in the future.

“As more projects like ours are completed under budget, more ARRA funds are expected to become available,” city engineer Bob Earl said. “We’re keeping our eyes open for additional opportunities to secure federal funding for Bainbridge Island projects.”