By Shari Phiel
Berthoud Recorder

Despite the subzero temperatures, crews working on the Mountain Avenue project for the past several months are still in high spirits now that most of the work is complete. “In preparation for this storm we did get quite a bit of work completed on Saturday,” said Northern Colorado Constructors.

Driving down Mountain Avenue got a lot easier last week when the final layer of top lift asphalt was put in place between Fourth and Sixth streets, eliminating the two jarring bumps drivers had encountered for some time. “It is very rare to be paving top lift of asphalt after October,” added NCC.

The remaining work is now focused on the new streetlights and resulting concrete work. With snow on the ground and temperatures well below zero, crews were unable to continue working on the installations for the first half of the week.

On Monday, an NCC spokesman noted, “With the road this ice packed, it is not safe for our crews to be working, even if it is off the road.” Warmer temperatures later in the week means crews will be able to starting working on the new lights and concrete, although additional cleanup and prep work will likely be necessary.

Aside from the work along Mountain Avenue, NCC crews will be doing some minor patching work but that will be off the main road.

Friday marks a very special day in the project as well. Staff from the Town of Berthoud, along with representatives from NCC, local businesses and residents will gather for a small ribbon cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. at the intersection of Mountain Avenue and Third Street to officially unveil the new Mountain Avenue.

A larger grand-opening ceremony is planned for next spring with a tentative date scheduled for May 1. Town staff will invite local and state dignitaries, such as Gov. Ritter, to attend the ceremony.