Two of the biggest road projects in the city of Auburn should finish up on schedule despite a wet summer and high asphalt prices.

Auburn Superintendent of Engineering Services William Lupien said Monday that the two-year East Genesee Street project and the city's annual road paving program are both coming along. Lupien is scheduled to give a complete update on the programs to the city council Thursday during its weekly meeting.

The meeting will also include a general session for the public to be heard.

East Genesee Street is still waiting on a final layer of blacktop, as asphalt shortages have delayed that portion of the project for a couple weeks. However, contractors have been able to work on topsoil, sod, light posts and other elements of the $6 million job while they wait.

“They were obviously so far ahead of schedule last year that they are in good shape coming into this year,” Lupien said.

Contractor Rizzo Construction has until October to complete the project, according to the contract.

While the asphalt prices have not forced the job to take longer, they have made it a bit more expensive. In March, the city approved a change order of approximately $122,000 to account for higher prices.

The contract for this year's road project, which was awarded to Paul F. Vitale Inc., does not allow for such change orders. Lupien said the company should be finished next week with patching roads, which is the first stage of the project.

After the patching is complete, Highway Rehab Corp. will take care of the heater scarifying before Vitale Inc. lays the final blacktop, he said.

Almost 30 stretches of road are scheduled to be repaired throughout the city as part of this year's road program.

Because the road program contract does not have a clause for asphalt prices, it will be finished as soon as possible, Lupien said.

“The contractor is motivated to get the blacktop down before the asphalt price goes up again,” he said.

Lupien said he will meet with the contractors this week and present final dates and timelines to the council on Thursday.

“Both jobs are proceeding within their timelines,” he said.

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext./ 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.