Delays in the completion of the Wisconsin Connector Road have forced the city to seek an extension for the $1.3 million Mississippi Development Authority CAP loan for the project.

“Based on the weather and where they (contractor Dirt Works) are as far as finishing up, we have requested (an extension) until after March,” city attorney Nancy Thomas said.

Thomas said after the meeting the city’s loan with MDA ends Dec. 31, and the Mississippi Department of Transportation guide book on paving estimates 23 available days for paving during January, February and March.

“Extending it until March should give the contractor time to pave the road, stripe it and do whatever else they have to do,” she said.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen in April awarded the contract to build the road to Dirt Works. The estimated completion date was in September, but problems at the site and weather have caused delays in completing the road, which will link North Frontage Road at Riverhills Bank with Wisconsin Avenue.

In other action, the board:

4 Opened bids to pave the Halls Ferry Park and Bazinsky Park parking lots, with additional possible work to enlarge the Bazinsky parking lot and adding lights.

Bidding on the project were Warren and Warren Paving LLC of Jackson, $891,940.22; Central Asphalt of Vicksburg, $714,573.54; and Hemphill Construction of Florence, $823,057.83. The bids were taken under advisement. Money for the projects is in the city’s $9.2 million capital improvements bond issue.

4 Opened bids to build a canopy for the police department. The canopy will be built on the west side of the Vicksburg Police Station where prisoners are delivered for court.

Two companies bid on the project: Robertson Construction Co. of Ridgeland, $113,640.58, and Fordice Construction Co. of Vicksburg, $81,490.

4 Received a $25,642.98 grant for handicap accessible facilities at eight of the city’s parks from My Brother’s Keeper Inc., a private, nonprofit organization, with a mission to reduce health problems throughout the U.S. and promote healthy living and the use of accessible public facilities.

The grant provides 100 percent funding for the equipment and does not require matching funds from the city.