WARSAW — By the looks of the CR 300N construction zone, there appears to be a lot of work still needing to be done.

But a city official said this week that they expect a basecoat of asphalt will be applied and the road will be open to traffic for much of the winter.

The $1.8 million project — which includes the construction of a roundabout at Shelden Street — was supposed to be completed this year, but the contractor got a late start for various reasons and utility issues have slowed progress, said City Plan Director Jeremy Skinner.

Skinner told members of the redevelopment commission Monday, Oct. 7, that the road will be opened to traffic by the end of the year even though work will not be complete.

He said it would be pointless to keep the road closed for four months while work has ceased.

Asphalt plants normally close in November, and Skinner said that a base coat will be in place late this year that will allow motorists to use 300N and Shelden.

Construction is tentatively scheduled to continue into mid-December, but weather conditions will be a factor in how much gets done this year.

He said the roundabout will be constructed this year.

CR 300N is just south of Kohl’s and other stores and is a key route for residents of numerous apartment complexes in the immediate area.

“We’ll get as much as we can do this year and then any sod and topcoat and striping will be done in the spring,” Skinner said.

He was hesitant to predict when the project would be finished.