Officials maintain U.S. 70 deadline

U.S. 70 construction project officials maintain that the job will be complete this year.

Portales motorists have been burdened by one-lane on First and Second streets since May.

"Looking at the job here forward, we're looking to restart the job in about a month," said Project Manager John Guldemann of Constructor's Inc.

Guldemann said they will have to wait for the cold season to finish before they resume work because higher temperatures are required for tasks such as pouring concrete.

Benna Sayyed: CMI Staff Photo

A view of road construction taking place at U.S. 70 and West University Drive. This is looking north on U.S. 70.

"We will continue with phase 1 to Avenue C," Guldemann said. "Phase 2 in the downtown area (will begin) in March or April, weather permitting."

Guldemann said there haven't been any changes to the original plan but estimated completion date may change due to weather.

"We're moving a lot quicker," Guldemann said. "We're moving a lot better than when we originally started. The weather pushes the completion date but it is still well within 2013 even with those delays."

During their off days, Guldemann says they will still periodically check on the site, making sure roads are secure for the public.

"Avenue J was kind of worn down, so we added more material in there to make that drive into J a lot easier," Guldemann said. "We're still around and doing things, but we're not at full production."

Their work on phase 1 of their project, which includes the area of First and Second streets between University Place and Avenue C, has gone relatively well, according to Guldemann. He said unexpected challenges his crews faced have been related to weather.

"We underestimated the amount of rain and weather days we would have," Guldemann said. "Not just the quantity of rain but the length of time it takes for the dirt to dry out."

Portales city councilors expressed concern Thursday at their council meeting about how January and possibly February weather can set the project back, but had an overall consensus that they rather have the job done right.

"Conditions aren't favorable," New Mexico Department of Transportation's Pat Garcia told councilors. "We're kind of looking at everything on a month-by -month basis."

Garcia said crews will open up Avenue K for Eastern New Mexico University traffic while the site remains buttoned up.

"With as thick as we're going with the concrete, it will not bind as good as it should," Garcia said concerning working in temperatures below 40 degrees. "It needs to be above freezing for at least seven days."

Guldemann reminds citizens about the benefits of this project.

"You guys are going to have fantastic roads and they're going to last a lot longer than the asphalt roads," Guldemann said. "It's going to be a great final project."