16th Avenue extension, roundabout project back on track in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - A construction contractor that fell six weeks behind schedule before beginning a 16th Avenue extension and roundabout project is back on track.

Ricklefs Excavating, of Anamosa, has a $1.2 million city contract to extend 16th Avenue SE between Fourth and Fifth streets SE, install a roundabout and complete underground utility work. The contract called for hitting its first milestone - underground utility work and partial pavement - by Friday, and the utility work is complete and 16th Avenue has been partially paved, said Cory Elwick, project manager for Ricklefs.

'We are ahead of schedule,” Elwick said. 'We hit our first milestone.”

Work will continue as long as weather permits, but crews won't get so far ahead the road will be able to open this year, he said.

'We are going to push forward this year,” Elwick said. 'We have the subgrade all graded out. We put rock down and put it in the pavers' hands, and see if we can get more ahead of schedule.”

Work began the week of Aug. 7, well past the June 26 late start date specified in the contract. Redesign tied to unexpected underground infrastructure caused the delay, Elwick has said.

City officials had warned missing milestones could lead to fees. The contract specified $500 per day past the milestone could be charged for damages. The next milestone is sodding and seeding by May 31, 2018. Final completion is due by June 22, 2018.

Lee Tippe, a project engineer for the city, said in an email, 'We are satisfied Ricklefs Excavating, Ltd. achieved the first milestone.”

l Comments: (319) 339-3177; brian.morelli@thegazette.com