Fredericton underpass construction project going over deadline
Route 8 underpass as much as 2 weeks behind schedule, Regent Street intersection project may be delayed too
Fredericton drivers frustrated by the lengthy delays created by the construction of the underpass crossing Route 8 on Regent Street will need to wait even longer before the crews finish their work.
The massive construction project, which started on June 1, is now expected to be delayed as much as two weeks.
"We're looking at the week of Labour Day," said Josh Fox, a resident engineer with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.
"Probably closer to the end of that week as a target for our completion date."
The project was supposed to wrap up on Aug. 31.
Despite relatively good weather during the construction project, Fox said it has caused problems.
High temperatures have slowed down the work crews and recent rains have been a problem for mixing concrete.
"Schedule-wise we'd like to be further ahead," said Fox.
"But we don't want to have to come back again, so we want it done right the first time."
Just down the street, the City of Fredericton's project to rebuild the intersection at Regent and Prospect streets may also miss its Aug. 31 deadline, with much of the remaining workload dependent on the weather.
Officials are still optimistic about progress at the city's busiest intersection though and expect to be finished before the start of the school year.
Traffic to get worse
Jon Lewis, a traffic engineer with the city, said drivers need to expect larger traffic problems as the project nears completion.
"But the end is in sight."
Lewis said traffic traditionally increases as the school year approaches.
"There's a couple more weeks where we know traffic volumes are starting to increase as we get later in August so that will create long waits," said Lewis.
Both city and provincial engineers say weather will play a large role as the projects come to a close.
Asphalt pavement and concrete mixing are both process that require relatively dry and stable weather conditions.
"But we're getting to the end of the tunnel," said Lewis.
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