(Video) Central Corridor Project Won't Be Finished on Time

Holy cow! There is an overwhelming amount of construction in Marion.

We've all had to learn creative ways to drive around the massive construction project that is the Marion Central Corridor Project, but it's hard to tell exactly what is going on and how much construction is left.

Luckily, the City of Marion and Anderson Bogart, the engineering firm in charge of much of the project, have provided an update on the construction's progress.

For a video update of the progress, check out a video shot by Anderson Bogart above.

A description of the progress provided by the architects of the project can be read below:

Contractors have completed the street paving in the 12^th Street intersection. This milestone will allow work to continue through the 13^th Street intersection. Beginning this Friday, October 19^th, the 13^th Street intersection at 6^th Avenue will be closed to all traffic for a period of at least three weeks. Pavement removal will begin promptly on Saturday morning. This is the final intersection that will be impacted as part of Phase I construction. 

The 12^th Street intersection will be open to traffic on Friday, but much work continues in this area. Crews with Curtis Contracting will begin work on the sidewalks and ramps along 12^th Street. Motorists are asked to use caution when driving through the 12^th Street intersection while work continues in the area. 

Progress continues in the 1200 block this week. Today, the first main line pours were completed adjacent to Marion City Hall. Paving will continue over the next week. In the 1100 block, the street bricks are nearly in place. Crews with Culver's are also finishing brick work in the 1000 block near the 11^th Street intersection. The lane markings are now in place through the 1000 block, next to the library. Planters, benches, and garbage canshave also been installed. Alliant Energy installed the electric meter this week for the street lights and traffic signals. The decorative street lights were turned on for the first time today. It is also anticipated that the new traffic signal at 6^th Avenue & 10^th Street will be activated. This intersection will temporarily operate under flashing red lights until additional sections of 6^th Avenue are opened. 

Other items scheduled for the next week include work on the stacked limestone wall along the library parking lot. Each planter will also be filled with top soil. Pending weather delays, sod will be installed in the 900 and 1000 blocks. 

Contractors have used approximately 97 of the allowed 100 working days. Project work will not be complete within the contract time. Liquidated damages will be assessed for time to complete the work in excess of the specified limits.