Commissioners approve $13,545 change order for Christian County jail sewer tie-in

Presiding Commissioner Lynn Martin and her fellow commissioners approved a $13,545 change order and a three-day schedule extension for the Christian County Jail sewer project after on-site conditions differed from design elevations.

The change order was presented by Keith Jacob of Great River Engineering, who said crews began construction about ten days earlier and discovered the existing sewer pipe was at a higher elevation than the design assumed. To tie into that pipe, crews will move two manholes about 10 feet downhill and lower one manhole so it will not protrude above grade. Jacob attributed the mismatch to the project team relying on older city elevation data rather than borehole tests, which the city would not allow because of an ongoing repaving project around the square.

Jacob said the additional cost—$13,545—reflects extra pipe, excavation and pavement replacement for the roughly 10 feet of relocated sewer and that the work requires an additional three days on the construction schedule. He recommended approving the change order to avoid halting the project.

Commissioners discussed contingencies for base rock and noted that, so far on the shallow downhill portion, crews have not encountered rock and that area appears to be less costly than budgeted. After a motion and second, the commission voted to approve the change order.

The approval allows construction to proceed; staff and the engineering consultant said the work cannot move forward without the change order.