City engineers told the Waterloo City Council on Monday that construction on parts of La Porte Road is expected to open by Labor Day, but that recent rain delays and unexpected utility relocations have slowed progress.

Jamie Knuthson, city engineer, said the contractor expects the section from the KOA campground up to Capri College Drive (just south of Grama Street) to be open by Labor Day and that the segment up to Grim Street should open a few weeks later. The contractor is still deciding whether to complete the Grim-to-Bop segment this construction season, Knuthson said, noting July rain wiped out much of the month for work.

Knuthson and colleague Jamie Kitson said crews encountered unforeseen utility conflicts — including an unrecorded water main that required replacing about 1,000 feet of pipe — and that some utilities have been slower than expected to relocate facilities. The city stressed those relocations are the responsibility of the utility companies.

Council members raised concerns about Waterloo Fiber installations and potential future conflicts with planned roundabout and Huntington Road work near school projects. Kitson said the city coordinates with utilities but that Waterloo Fiber’s design and build schedule was underway before the city's plans were finalized in that corridor. He added the cost of relocating Waterloo Fiber or other utilities in response to a city road project would be borne by the utility.

Council asked staff to keep utilities informed and coordinate future crossings to avoid repeated excavation and to minimize taxpayer cost. The council did not take formal action; staff said they will continue to monitor contractor schedules and utility relocations and communicate updates to neighbors.