Despite loss of foreman, South Main construction on schedule

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July 12, 2012

Despite loss of foreman, South Main construction on schedule

Sally Sexton CNHI The Weatherford Democrat Thu Jul 12, 2012, 08:00 AM CDT

WEATHERFORD — Construction crews powered along South Main last week, despite being one man short and are still on schedule with construction.

Walter Goen, project manager for Jay Mills Contracting, which is in charge of the Main Street Project, reported that a foreman had left the crew last week, but was replaced Monday.

“It wasn’t like it was a surprise. We knew it was coming because he had put in his two weeks,” Goen said. “He left Wednesday and we had a foreman from another crew come in and take his place Monday.”

Terry Hughes, Director of Capital Transportation Projects for the City of Weatherford, said that situation isn’t that unusual.

“People on a contract job can leave, and the contractor can rehire someone else,” Hughes said. “Whatever happened, it certainly hasn’t slowed us down.”

Though the construction area, which now stretches from Interstate 20 to the intersection near Braum’s, has been ongoing for several months, Hughes and Goen said the project is still on pace to be completed by the original estimated date.

“We’re still right on schedule,” Goen said. “In fact, I think we’re a little bit ahead in general, so last week’s situation didn’t affect us at all.

“Thursday and Friday, the crew stayed out there without a foreman and was still out there doing everything.”

Though the construction continues with its progress, businesses in the area are still feeling its impact.

“Business has slowed a little more dramatically than in the past, but we’re still hoping for the best,” Preston Klein, team leader for Schlotzsky’s Deli, said.

Hughes said Phase I, which is the segment from Interstate 20 to David’s Western Store, should have contract pavements, one of the last undertakings, in place by mid-September. The construction crew is currently working on retaining walls, which will be followed by cement stabilization.

Crews have already begun work on Phase II, which runs from David’s to Braum’s.

“We wanted to go ahead and start the second phase to save a little time, not just wait until Phase I is done,” Hughes said.

Current work on Phase II includes working on underground pipes to get them placed and out of the way. It’s set to be completed in late August 2013.