FORT THOMAS — About halfway through Fort Thomas Independent Schools' first big construction project in 70 years, the new Highlands Middle School is taking shape.

        The project has been behind schedule since May, when crews discovered unexpected underground utilities that had to be moved. But work is still expected to be finished by next August to open for the first day of school.

        “There's a lot of opportunities to make up time,” said Mark Thomas, project manager from BBL Construction, which is overseeing the work.

        Work started on the $15 million project in late March. The three-story brick and stone building off Memorial Parkway includes an under ground parking garage and a gym.

        So far, the project has stayed under budget, Mr. Thomas said.

        The foundation and parking garage are complete, and crews are working on the steel structure and pouring floor slabs, Mr. Thomas said. They'll start on the brick exterior and roof in the next few weeks.

        Fort Thomas' middle-schoolers have never had their own building. Seventh- and eighth-graders share a building with high school students, and sixth-grade students are at the elementary schools.

        When the new school is complete, sixth- through eighth-graders will be in one building - marking the first time since 1931 that the district has opened a new school.

        “This is a really big deal for us,” said Lee McGinley, a spokeswoman for the district. “We're going to be so thrilled when it opens.”

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