Additional paved parking at the Lincoln County-BrookhavenGovernment Complex will soon be a reality, but recent rainstormshave slowed construction on the project.

“It’s slowing us down,” said Glen Calcote, site supervisor forGreenbriar Digging Service. “It’s supposed to rain the rest of thisweek.”

It’s been rare for him to have to call an entire day off becauseof rain since construction started around the end of June, but thedays have been considerably shortened, Calcote said.

The construction crew typically works 10 to 11 hour days, buthas been averaging only eight hours a day since work on the projectbegan, he said.

“I don’t think we’re behind. Everything’s gone pretty good,except the weather,” Calcote said. “If the weather will hold out,we could be done in a couple of weeks.”

The dirt work has been completed and gravel laid down. Crews areworking on the sidewalks and curbing this week, he said. Once thatis complete, work will begin to lay the asphalt.

Striping the parking lot will be handled by a different company,Calcote said.

The parking lot, with two entrances on Chickasaw Street, willhost 61 angled spots. Motorists will maneuver in a U-shape throughthe lot.

Chancery Clerk Tillmon Bishop has projected a late Julycompletion date. The parking lot will not open until mid-August,however, to allow time for the striping and the asphalt to set.

Bishop said he hopes employees of the government complex willuse the lot to free up the existing spaces for visitors to thecourthouse.