Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Construction continues on College Avenue in Houghton Thursday. Despite delays, the street is anticipated to be reopened to two-way traffic by late October.

HOUGHTON — Two-way traffic will hopefully resume on College Avenue by late October, though some construction could have to wait until next spring.

City engineer Andrew Keranen of U.P. Engineers & Architects gave a status update to the Houghton City Council Wednesday. He addressed the council before it approved payments for the water and sewer work on College Avenue.

Paving will take place next week or the following on Montezuma Avenue and the portion leading to the Krist station at the end of Shelden Avenue.

Keranen said contractor Bacco Construction would be asking the Michigan Department of Transportation for a contract extension. That stemmed from delays in materials and problems with rock excavation on the project. Crews also had to recap and work around the Stebbins No. 2 mine shaft, which was rediscovered while digging. Keranen said Bacco had also run into problems staging with the narrow corridor.

“MDOT and we are pushing them hard to finish up the project, but we anticipate that they’ll be back in the spring to finalize construction,” Keranen said.

Still left to be done is some water, sewer and storm sewer work at the west end of the project, and grading and restoration at the island on Franklin Square.

“Hopefully next spring, if it does carry over next spring, there’ll be some minor traffic switches around the miner island on Franklin Street,” Keranen said. “So hopefully we can maintain a two-way traffic through this area.”

Councilor Mike Needham said many of the issues, such as the confines of the project and the rock under the road, shouldn’t have surprised the contractor.

Keranen agreed they should have been anticipated. It remains to be seen if MDOT will extend the contract; the project will soon hit a point that will trigger liquidated damage payments.

“It is a difficult project, and MDOT is aware of the difficulties,” he said.

In other action, the council:

• Heard a suggestion from Councilor Joan Suits on adding term limits for city council members to a future council meeting agenda.

“I’m not speaking pejoratively about anybody,” she said. “I’m very happy to work with all of you. But I think we have to start thinking for the future.”

City Clerk Ann Vollrath said the city’s attorney would be consulted to prepare. The city would also have to appoint a charter commission. The item was scheduled for the first meeting in December.

• Received a report from city manager Eric Waara. The city is scheduling a meeting with the Michigan Economic Development Corp.’s “deal team”: to go over agreement conditions for the Revitalization and Placemaking grant. The $1 million grant will go towards improving the Lakeshore Drive corridor after the teardown of the parking deck. The city will also get feedback from the public on the post-deck plan for Lakeshore Drive at master plan open houses this fall, which are scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 11 and Nov. 1.

The city is also finalizing a draft agreement for trash collection and recycling, which will be presented to the council at the next meeting.

• Heard a report from Police Chief John Donnelly. Since the previous meeting, there were 180 calls for service, four felony arrests, two misdemeanor arrests and seven civil infractions. There were 18 calls for health and safety. Recent department activities included a meeting at the Copper Country Intermediate School District to discuss ways to address mental health issues with students. An officer is receiving training to become a mental health behavioral instructor, while another is training to become an evidence technician.