The construction of a new road near North Callaway High School icontinues, but MoDOT employees say it is behind schedule.
A warning light flashes on Highway 54 that informs passers-by that the road leading from the highway directly to the school will be closed this week.
North Callaway R-I Schools Superintendent Bryan Thomsen told the school board during its July 17 meeting that the high school and central office could still be accessed through the T-Bird Learning Center parking lot during this time.
In his update for the board, Thomsen attributed the delay to a couple of rain days and issues with soil samples.
The new roadway is designed to be an outer road down to Old Highway 40 in Kingdom City, which comes out just west of Panhead Billy's restaurant. An on-ramp will also be completed in front of the school district's administration building to enter Highway 54.
Marty Lincoln, a MoDOT representative, explained that work is running "a little bit behind schedule."
Currently, crews are grading the roadway which will eventually be paved with asphalt.
According to Jackie Bordeleau, another MoDOT representative on the improvement plan, the job was supposed to be completed by August 4.
"I don't think we're going to make it," Bordeleau said. "But we're working really hard, seven days a week."
She said the goal now is to get the road in the area near the school completed before school begins on August 20, so the construction hinders as little school traffic as possible.
Despite the delays, Thomsen said during the July 17 meeting that district staff are looking forward to having it open.
"We're excited about the road," Thomsen said.