Heavy rains slowed progress on University Drive reconstruction this week, but had little impact on the construction site as crews went right back to work when the precipitation let up.

"We didn't work Wednesday and part of Thursday because of the rain, but otherwise things have been going well," Northern Improvement spokesman Bruce Thompson said. "The rain had minimal effect; in fact, I can only think of one area, about 3 feet square, that was soft. After the rain, if we find water standing somewhere we'll pump it out so it doesn't have a chance to soak in. We'll blade any areas that appear spongy, top it off and continue down the road."

Ted Heinert, project engineer for the Department of Transportation, said the drainage system, which has been installed on the west side of the construction, helped keep the rainfall manageable. He figured about two-thirds of the system installed earlier by Cofell's Plumbing & Heating was working and drained off most of the rainfall into the nearby drainage ditch.

Northern Improvement is subcutting and putting down a gravel base between Denver and Wachter avenues. The intersection of Wachter and University is closed, but it will be reopened over the Fourth of July weekend. Crews won't be working Saturday through Tuesday, returning to construction Wednesday.

Traffic continues to flow and the closing of the Wachter intersection has had little impact on congestion, according to Heinert. "Drivers have managed to find other routes," he said.

When crews return they will begin subcutting at the intersection of Denver and University, Thompson said. The intersection will remain closed until curb, gutter and asphalt are installed. Thompson expects the intersection to stay closed for two weeks.

Hopes were to switch traffic by mid-July, but it now appears it will be closer to the end of July before the west side construction is ready to accept daily vehicles. Once the traffic is switched the asphalt on the east side will be removed and Cofell's will move in to finish the storm sewer work.

About two-thirds of the cement work on the University Drive-Bismarck Expressway intersection is finished. Thompson figures another two weeks until the final cement work is undertaken.

Heinert estimated the project is about 30 percent complete. Heinert also mentioned he had spotted the duck, sometimes referred to as Hennrietta DOT, in the nearby storm sewer ditch, and it appeared she and her two remaining ducklings were doing fine, with the two youngsters reaching nearly full size. Of the five eggs she laid on the east side of the construction, two didn't hatch. A third, which was hatched with the help of humans after she and the two ducklings had found their way to the west side of the construction, tagged Caboose, died.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)