District says borings, geotech instruments planned ahead of Wasatch Elementary retaining wall repair
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Summary
Staff told the board Langan Engineering and AGEC will drill three borings, install piezometers and inclinometers to monitor soil saturation and inform repair strategy for a failed retaining wall at Wasatch Elementary; drilling equipment availability moved the schedule earlier by about two weeks.
Provo School District staff briefed the board June 10 about site investigation and monitoring work planned for the failed retaining wall at Wasatch Elementary.
District staff said Langan Engineering performed a site review and requested three additional borings; AGEC will make their drilling equipment available and crews are scheduled in approximately two weeks to complete the borings. “These 2 bore borings will have both a piezometer and an inclinometer, inserted,” a staff presenter said, describing gauges that will record water levels and ground movement over time.
Why it matters The board was shown photographs of the collapsed wall and the adjacent school parking area. Staff said water saturation behind a fill wall likely contributed to the failure; the piezometers (to monitor pore water pressure) and inclinometers (to measure lateral movement) will provide ongoing readings that inform the structural solution and schedule for rebuilding the wall.
Details and next steps - Equipment and schedule: earlier equipment delays had pushed borings into July, but an agreement with AGEC moved the work up to late June. District staff said the borings will be grouted in place with cast‑in‑place grout so instruments remain usable for future monitoring. - Responsibility and repairs: staff noted preliminary discussions about responsible parties are ongoing; the immediate focus is on getting geotechnical data and agreeing on a remediation plan before rebuilding. Staff estimated construction to begin in July but said the timeline depends on the geotech report. - Community communication: staff said they sent an update to the Wasatch community and will provide another board update once the borings are complete and the engineer’s report is available.
Board members asked whether both the cut and fill walls had been assessed; staff said AGEC inspects both conditions and the fill wall adjacent to the southwest corner of the building appears most affected. The board did not take a final action but directed staff to report findings and the recommended repair plan after the borings are complete.
