Hutto engineering update flags delayed water and wastewater projects, contractors face change orders

Interim city engineer Patricia Davis told the Hutto City Council that multiple capital improvement projects are behind schedule and that staff are working to resolve contractor change orders and outstanding coordination with TxDOT and Union Pacific Railroad.

"We still don't have the full approval to move that project forward but the design consultant is complete with 100% plans, specifications, and estimate on this project," Davis said about the FM 1660 project near SH 79, noting that rail and state approvals remain the gating items. She also reported that County Road 137 is under construction but still has pending utility relocations and that staff will meet the affected school district before schools dismiss for the summer.

Davis emphasized recent progress on some intersections while flagging trouble on others. On the Ed Schmidt intersection work she said the intersection improvements are “substantially complete” and running a month ahead of schedule, while associated sidewalk work remains behind. For water projects she said the Shiloh project has reached substantial completion and allowed activation of a new water source, but the contractor still must finish punch‑list items and closeout documents.

Councilors pressed staff on communications with the school district, temporary traffic control during overlapping projects, and whether contractors have been given notice for default. Davis confirmed notices had been issued where warranted and that staff are pursuing change orders and retainage as appropriate. She also described the surety process as the city’s established mitigation if a contractor abandons a jobsite.

What happens next: staff will bring contract change orders and any supplemental funding requests to council as they are finalized and will continue biweekly at‑risk reporting on construction progress.