Rain and snow are the only elements that have the power to deter the Uptown Enhancement Project.

Rain and snow are the only elements that have the power to deter the Uptown Enhancement Project.

Weather permitting, the project’s finish date is still sometime prior to Christmas, Assistant City Engineer Cullen Hollister said.

“Anything to deal with asphalt is weather dependent,” Hollister said.

Originally, the Uptown Enhancement Project was supposed to be completed in October, but the finish date has been pushed back several times.

In order for construction crews to pave a road, Hollister said the weather has to be dry.

Any type of precipitation could push back the final steps.

Dry conditions are also essential for striping and putting a finishing coat on paved roads.

Availability of asphalt becomes a concern in winter months as well.

According to Hollister, asphalt factories shut down when it gets too cold.

Regardless of whether Apple Avenue — the final phase of the project — is actually paved, Hollister said, it will still be in good enough condition to open it to traffic by Friday, Dec. 22.

These issues can’t be dealt with until the time comes, Hollister said.

In the meantime, Tiffany Construction owner Herb Tiffany said that after Thanksgiving, crews should be primarily working on Apple Avenue.

“The job is making progress,” Tiffany said.

A recent gas line break on Apple Avenue will not affect the completion date, according to the construction company.

The current plan is to complete all major paving on Hwy. 89A by Thursday, Nov. 16, before Tiffany Construction breaks for the long holiday weekend.

The retaining walls along the side of Hwy. 89A will still be under construction after Thanksgiving.

Crews will not work Thursday, Nov. 23 — Thanksgiving day — through Sunday, Nov. 26.

“We don’t want to disrupt the merchants,” Director of Community Development John O’Brien said.

The Friday after Thanksgiving is known to be one of the biggest shopping days of the year, and O’Brien said the city doesn’t want construction delaying shoppers.

“It’s a huge weekend,” O’Brien said.

Also, Tiffany Construction’s contract says they are not to work on days city staff doesn’t work and city employees are off the entire holiday weekend.

Hollister said even though the major construction will be complete by Dec. 22, there will still be a few things that need to be done.

Minor touch-ups and small potential additions to the contract will not be finished until after Monday, Jan. 8.

According to Hollister, Tiffany Construction will wait until after Monday, Jan. 1, as to not disrupt holiday traffic.