Skyway paving expected to done by July 4

PARADISE » Butte County Public Works announced Thursday that it officially moved up the end of construction of the Skyway Road Replacement project to July 4. By that date, the county expects all major paving operations are scheduled to be completed.

The project, which started in early-May, was originally scheduled to be finished in early September. But last week, Butte County Public Works Assistant Director Scott Hightower said that Knife River, the construction company doing the work, was ahead of schedule and the county was considering moving the timeline up.

That move became official Thursday, as the construction crews will finish the initial lift of the new asphalt on both the eastbound and westbound lanes of the Skyway. According to Butte County, next week crews will begin placing a subsequent lift of new asphalt on the eastbound and westbound lanes, which will be topped with an open-grade asphalt course that will complete the driving surface.

Travelers should be aware that construction will be performed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the Skyway will be limited to one lane in either direction and/or both directions simultaneously with intermittent full road closure to move construction equipment and perform necessary work.

Butte County also said that after the new asphalt surface is completed workers will continue to work on metal beam guardrail, shoulder backing and placement of new striping and markings.

That part of the project is expected to be completed by the beginning of August and all lane closures will be remain in place while that work is being done.

Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes such as Neal Road, Clark Road or Pentz Road.

RICK SILVA — PARADISE POST Construction workers for Knife River work on the Skyway on May 13. One lane of the Skyway has been closed in each direction as workers have been repairing from Skyway Crossroads just outside of Paradise to Potter Road just outside of Chico. The project had been slated to end in September, but on Thursday, Butte County announced all paving work will be done by July 4, and the total project will be finished in early August.