Delays by contractor frustrate Shewbart

RED BAY — Mayor Mike Shewbart is frustrated after a contractor missed its deadline on a paving project, threatening future partnerships with the company.

Shewbart says he is losing patience with Rogers Group, the company contracted to pave Whippoorwill Drive in the Brookwood neighborhood. The firm was given 30 days to complete the project, but the deadline has expired without any work being done.

Shewbart attributed the delay to poor communication and repeated scheduling issues.

“The time they had to complete it has come and gone,” Shewbart said. “They’ll say they’ll be there Monday and Tuesday. I guess their weeks don’t have Monday and Tuesday in them.”

While awaiting completion of the work, the city has continued curb and drainage improvements in the Brookwood area. However, residents are equally frustrated the roadwork has not been finished.

Shewbart has indicated continued delays could result in the contractor being placed on the city’s do-not-bid list.

Weather also temporarily slowed progress elsewhere in the city. A resurfacing project on Winnie Frost Drive, between U.S. Highway 19 and Highway 24, was recently delayed because of unfavorable conditions. Crews were able to move forward once the weather improved, and the project is wrapping up.

The work, along with the upcoming resurfacing of 9th Street, is being overseen by APAC. Milling on 9th Street has been completed, and asphalt paving is slated to begin Tuesday morning. If weather conditions remain favorable, the work is expected to be finished by the end of the week or early next week.

Unlike Winnie Frost Drive, the 9th Street project involves a full resurfacing. Although several deteriorated sections were patched in recent weeks, city officials decided a new layer of asphalt would provide a longer-term solution.

Motorists are advised to use caution in active work zones, particularly along the 9th Street corridor.