Part of Hull’s Division Street reconstruction project will wait until next spring, while the city works toward completing the first phase following construction delays.
The Hull City Council approved a change order moving the portion between Greenway and First Street to 2027. City Administrator Heidi Kramer says both phases originally were scheduled to be completed by September 18th.
“Phase two was supposed to also be completed by the September 18th deadline,” Kramer said.
The approved change order establishes June 4th, 2027, as the substantial completion deadline for the second phase.
First Phase Remains Behind Schedule
The first phase, covering Division Street between Second and Fifth Streets, remains behind schedule. Kramer says weather and other unforeseen circumstances have contributed to the delay.
According to the city’s September 25th construction update, crews have started installing storm sewer at the Fifth Street intersection. The intersection remains closed, with reopening projected for October 2nd, weather permitting. That target applies to the intersection rather than completion of the entire first phase.
Upcoming work includes continued storm sewer installation, hauling dirt away, and preparing the roadbed and granular base between Second and Fifth Streets. Contractor Bainbridge Construction also plans to continue working Saturdays as weather allows.
Kramer says the city cannot yet offer a reliable completion date for the first phase.
“It really is just going to depend on the weather, first of all. It hasn’t been in our favor, obviously, for the past couple of weeks,” Kramer said.
Kramer did not identify the other circumstances contributing to the delay. She says a more definite timeline will depend on conditions improving.
Road to Reopen Between Construction Phases
Once the first phase is finished, Kramer says Division Street will reopen, with no construction on the second phase until next year. That work will again affect traffic when it begins.
The change order preserves the existing contracted pricing for the deferred work. It also adds $1,650 for additional markings at five crosswalks, bringing the construction contract to approximately $2.004 million.
With harvest underway, Kramer encourages drivers to review the detour information shared through the city’s website and Facebook page. She says the local cooperative has also shared the route.
“There’s a detour that we provided,” Kramer said. “And I know that the Co-op here in town also has shared that on their page as well.”
