ALEXANDRIA BAY — Delays in the state archaeological review for Alexandria’s Route 12 water project apparently is forcing the new Price Chopper plaza to take action soon.

“They’re going to have to put their own water system in,” town Supervisor Dale D. Hunneyman said. “We’ve determined that we cannot meet their deadline.”

The state-mandated review involves the approval by American Indians of projects that take place in archaeologically sensitive areas, and the town already has notified the developers of the holdup, Mr. Hunneyman said.

Town officials initially wanted to get Price Chopper hooked into the municipal water system before its grand opening at the end of April.

“This is not an abnormal delay,” said Robert J. Campany of Fourth Coast Inc., adding that Alexandria has been expediting the process that can sometimes take years to complete.

Alexandria recently secured a $500,000 Empire State Development grant with the help of Fourth Coast and is seeking federal grants and low-interest loans to make the roughly $2.8 million project more affordable to its customers.

The approximately 3-mile water line extension will serve about 110 equivalent dwelling units along the corridor by piping water from the village of Alexandria Bay.

Alexandria’s Price Chopper on Route 12 near Interstate 81 will be smaller than Watertown’s, but includes an additional 2,500-square-foot outdoor area that would be set up like a farmers market for seasonal products to meet the needs of summer residents and tourists.

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