While work has been able to continue at a good pace through recent rains, the construction of the new mausoleum at Myrtle Hill Cemetery will go on for a little longer than expected.

Rome Public Works Director Jamie McCord told the Rome Public Works Committee Wednesday that the projected $2.4 million structure would be completed in early May.

Officials had hoped the mausoleum would be finished in April in order for the city to begin working on the site and paving a new road and parking lot.

“They have got a lot of work done in the last couple of weeks despite the weather,” McCord said. “We’re probably two weeks away from starting to do some preliminary site work.”

McCord said he expects the entire project, including the city’s work and the landscaping, to be done in June.

“Things are going to start moving really quickly,” McCord said.

The features of the mausoleum, which was planned to include 588 crypts and 580 cremation urn niches, have taken shape at the site, located on the northeast side of Myrtle Hill.

“I’ve been by there recently and things seem to be coming right along,” Public Works Committee Chairman and City Commissioner Sue Lee said. “I really think that is going to be a beautiful building.”

Lee said her hope would be for the city to consider renovating the overall look of the historic cemetery after the mausoleum work is complete in order to make it a more attractive tourist destination.

“We could look at things like the curb-appeal of the main entrance and repairing some of the walls that are crumbling,” Lee said.

She also suggested planting some crepe myrtle around the property to further capitalize on the cemetery’s name.

McCord said he understood what Lee was talking about, but some things are simply out of their control.

“There are some things that have to be contracted out and some of the walls that are in need of repair belong to certain families that are no longer around here,” McCord said.

The committee also heard about the public works department’s plan to install new signs along Braves Boulevard now that it is being traveled more because of the opening of the new Armu­chee Connector.

Signs will alert motorists traveling from Riverside Parkway that the right lane will end prior to reaching State Mutual Stadium.

For those going southbound from the connector, overhead signs will tell motorists which lanes are turn lanes to go east or west on the Rome Bypass or straight on Riverside Parkway.

The work is expected to be completed by the end of next week.

McCord said a study done in December showed more than 5,000 vehicles a day are using the Armuchee Connector as a bypass around Martha Berry Boulevard.