By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

The first phase of a resurfacing project on Chelsea Road is complete, but more work and traffic delays are on the way.

Crews have finished a crack sealing operation that started June 9 along the route, from the intersection of Chelsea Road and County Road 49 south to Alabama 25 in Columbiana, according to Shelby County Engineer Randy Cole.

“They have begun putting the final seal coat of asphalt,” Cole said of Wiregrass Construction, the contractor on the project.

Cole said the seal coat installation could take a couple of weeks to complete.

As with the first phase of the project, motorists should be prepared for delays and a rolling lane closure near places of construction activity along the heavily traveled road between Chelsea and Columbiana.

“Slow down and drive safely,” Cole said.

Depending on the weather, crews likely will work on the road from about 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Cole said the project’s first phase went smoothly.

“There were no problems at all,” he said. “The weather cooperated, and the contractor did a very good job.”