EPHRATA - A Yakima-based company will finish Ephrata's road and water pipe replacement project.

The city council approved Chinook Wind's $2.2 million bid to finish the fourth phase of the project. The company is replacing aging water pipes and repaving some roads in the northwest section of the city.

The project is being paid for with a $2.7 million state loan from the Public Works Assistance Account.

The city did three independent reports on the contractor, City Administrator Wes Crago said.

"Our public works staff traveled to the site for a face-to-face inspection of their yard (and) their equipment in Yakima. The principal has 36 years of experience doing this kind of work," he said.

People gave good reviews of the company's principal's prior work, Crago said.

"Parallel to all that, our engineering team does essentially the same type of review. They evaluate the past work, look at references. They also evaluate the bond and they sit down with personnel," he said.

The city also examined the construction bond, which was valid, Crago said.

Public Works Director Bill Sangster said at a previous meeting they are hoping to start by April.