The city of Albert Lea is fining the contractor of the first phase of the Lakewood Boulevard reconstruction each work day until it is complete.

Ulland Brothers will be assessed $2,500 in liquidated damages for each work day retroactive to Oct. 1, the day the project was supposed to be complete.

Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams said the provision was written in the contract.

“They have to follow it, and it protects the city and the residents to ensure the project gets done on time and in a quality manner,” Adams said.

The city will assess the fine once the project is complete, Adams said. The project is expected to be completed in the next two to three weeks.

The first phase is concrete paving from Abbott Street to Sunset Street. The project has been delayed because equipment broke down and scheduling conflicts came up, Adams said.

He said liquidated damages are probably higher on interstate projects and that can influence the contractor’s schedule. He said the city can’t raise the liquidated damage assessment because it’s based on the schedule and scope of the individual project.

The city plans on sitting down with the contractor when the project is completed to discuss how it went and the provision in the contract.

The second phase, which is also being completed by Ulland Brothers, will be from Sunset Street to Wedge Street. Subgrade preparation is currently being done. Concrete work is scheduled to begin shortly after the first phase is done.

The city hopes the second phase project is completed by mid-November.

Multiple efforts to contact Ulland Brothers were unsuccessful.