Parents taking children to Thunderbolt Middle School Aug. 2 are being advised to take alternative routes to avoid delays.

Repaving of the streets in the Mockingbird and Chemehuevi projects that abut Thunderbolt Middle School are scheduled to take place “over the next few weeks,” according to a press release from the city. “The repaving was originally anticipated to be completely done during the summer months, but a delay in the award of the contract and contractor challenges have resulted in this work not yet being complete.”

Public Works Director Mark Clark said crews are working quickly to keep the inconvenience to a minimum.

“We recognize that it’s terrible timing but it’s one of those things where a few things happened at once,” Clark said. “The sewer work is going to be disruptive on the east or south side of Thunderbolt so we’re encouraging people to enter from the north. We appreciate everybody’s patience.”

City officials say they are making every effort to work with the two contractors that are operating in the vicinity to ensure that the streets are paved “as quickly as possible.”

“During construction, there are options that individuals can take that may be a slightly longer distance but may provide a quicker route around the project,” according to the release. “However, if traveling in the area or dropping off your student, please allow extra time in the mornings so that you are not rushing. Please continue to keep your streets safe at all times by obeying the posted speed limits, particularly in the school zone, and be on the lookout for pedestrians.”

Crews with contractors Capriati Construction and Spirit Underground should install “temporary four-way stop signs” at the Thunderbolt Avenue and Star Drive intersection as well as Thunderbolt Avenue and Arapaho Drive intersection to “facilitate safety and traffic flow,” which “will remain in place for the duration of the construction in the area,” according to the release.

Residents with questions or concerns regarding the construction are asked to contact Public Works at 928-453-6660, or engineering firm PBS&J directly at 928-855-4505.

You can contact the reporter at nbruttell@havasunews.com