OREM — Construction woes along 1600 North in Orem will take a seasonal break after the city decided to delay the third phase of a road makeover.

The reconstruction of 1600 North was slated to be finished by the end of 2006. But with a late construction bid and ominous weather on the horizon, city engineers and the construction company decided to wait.

"The contractor began to feel that ... it would be better instead of having it strung out through the whole winter, with traffic control, just to wait till the spring," said Ed Gifford, Orem city engineer.

There's no problem ripping up roads when it's cold, but putting those roads back together is nearly impossible when it's cold and wet, say UDOT project managers.

If the temperature dips below 50 degrees, the asphalt doesn't bond well to itself or to the road base, said John Clarkson, Utah Department of Transportation region three project manager.

And if it snows? Big problem.

"Water is asphalt's worst enemy," Clarkson said.

The paving window is closed after Oct. 15, primarily because it's too cold after that date to keep working.

So, the road widening and addition of a left-turn lane in each direction at the 1600 North and State intersection will resume in late March 2007 with a target completion date of mid-May.

The full project, running from 1030 West to 400 East, along 1600 North included new underground utilities, water mains and storm drain pipes, as well as new lights at the intersection for the two turn lanes.

The spring date is also easier for the contractor.

"In the spring, he said he could commit a lot more power to get it done in a shorter period of time," Gifford said.

The $3 million price tag for the project won't change, however. Orem City contributed $1.4 million to go with about $1.6 million in federal funds, Clarkson said.

The state became involved because 1600 North crosses the state-owned State Street.

The project hasn't been without headaches for nearby businesses. The manager of Del Taco, which sits on the southwest corner of the intersection, said the construction has been frustrating.

"Our volume has slowed down quite a bit because of that," said general manager Donna Lockhorst.

She said they've dealt with the roads around them being closed and now their sidewalk and corner are ripped up to make way for a new light and utility poles.

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