Despite setbacks caused by a steel shortage and winter storms, Settlement Canyon Elementary will open on time this summer, according to Tooele County School District officials.

The delays began when steel trusses for the building were three weeks late in arriving due to a nationwide steel shortage. Then, once the steel arrived a harsh series of winter storms stopped crews from erecting the trusses, according to Steve West, construction coordinator for the Tooele County School District.

The building should be ready to be occupied by July 15, though any future delays may push that back to Aug. 1, West said.

"It wasn't so much the amount of snow as it was the frequency of high winds," West said. "When the winds are too strong, they can't hang the trusses."

West asked the contractor for the school, Hughes General Contractors, for an updated work schedule showing how the company planned to complete the building on time. The new schedule shows the school divided into five area with prioritized work in each area. The contractor has also increased the number of workers at the site to speed up progress.

"The classrooms will be the first priority to be completed," West said, adding that with the classrooms completed, teachers could begin to move in and set up even if other unforeseen delays hold up the rest of the construction schedule.

Meanwhile, construction at Stansbury High School is still on schedule for a fall 2009 opening.

"We are comfortable that with the new timetable Settlement Canyon will be on time and on budget," said Mike Johnsen, Tooele County School District superintendent.

Tim Gillie: tgillie@tooeletranscript.com