Sun staff
Construction work on Eastgate South Drive to Eastgate Square, which is currently closed, has been delayed.
The segment, known as project area six, includes the construction of the Eastgate South Drive roundabout. The project was expected to be completed by October 31.
The cause of the delay is bad soil, which had to be removed before a wall in the base of the basin could be constructed.
Full construction is expected to resume on September 14.
“The situation with the basin really did set us back, not to mention every time that we’re at a critical point we have a considerable amount of rain dumped on us,” said Clermont County Engineer Pat Manger.
Officials are planning to meet the week of September 14 to go over details and develop a plan, budget and timeline to move forward.
“We have to make some decisions. Obviously we can’t have that area torn up during the holiday shopping season,” Manger said. “So, based on where we are next week, we’re going to have to make some decisions about where we go.”
He added, “The project may not be completed by September 18. It was a pretty tight timeline, and we lost some time with the basin. Our feeling is that we would rather clear out, get the intersection back functioning the way it traditionally has been for the holiday season, rather than having it half done.”
The estimated construction cost for this project was $900,000, but that number could increase due to the recent construction delays.