Despite the city’s goal to have Rochester Avenue open to the public before the Iowa City School District started classes, repairs to a water main in the area has caused a delay.

Iowa Bridge & Culvert was contracted to construct a new bridge on Rochester Avenue and do repairs to a water main in the area. According to the contract, the company has until Sep. 12 to do so.

Melissa Clow, Iowa City special-projects administrator, said the intersection of Rochester Avenue and 7th Avenue is expected to be open by Sep. 6. Normal traffic on Rochester Avenue is expected to resume on by the Sep. 12 deadline.

Clow said the reason for the delay stems from the heavy rain the city received in the spring, which prevented work from getting done for numerous days.

She also said if the construction is not completed by the deadline, it is in the contract that Iowa Bridge & Culvert will complete the project and not be paid more money.

The city has invested $928,000 in the project. The Iowa Department of Transportation is paying for 80 percent of the cost.

— by Cassidy Riley