Mother Nature apparently doesn’t want to steer drivers off the western stretch of the Farmers Turnpike just yet.

Heavy and persistent rains in recent weeks have pushed back the scheduled closure of the road section to July 6, a week later than expected.

“Weather’s a big factor,” said Terese Gorman, engineering division manager for Douglas County’s Department of Public Works.

Crews need to close the Farmers Turnpike — also known as Douglas County Road 438 — at the northwestern edge of Lawrence. Specifically, the closure will run from County Road 1029 to East 800 Road, just west of the Farmers Turnpike’s intersection with the South Lawrence Trafficway.

The county is spending $1.63 million to overhaul the road to provide drivers with a new surface, paved shoulders and roadside slopes that are less steep that the current versions.

Workers also will cut the tops off hills and fill in dips to help improve sight distances.

The entire project remains scheduled for completion by Nov. 21, in time for Thanksgiving.