Commission approves $23,500 geotechnical study for slope failures along Lyon County section of VNT tracks

The Nevada Commission for the construction of the VNT Railway approved a contract with Wood Rogers Incorporated for a geotechnical investigation of slope failure along the Lyon County portion of the railway, in a section identified as stationing 739+00 to 740+04. The commission authorized a not-to-exceed contract amount of $23,500 and authorized the commission chair to sign the proposal.

Joe Toth of Wood Rogers described fieldwork planned as a topographical survey, dynamic cone penetrometer testing to assess in-place soil density, geophysical surveys to estimate engineering properties and stability modeling using cross sections derived from the topo work. Toth said the firm saw two failure scarps likely developed after a heavy 2017 snow year and that the report would include stability analysis and recommendations to mitigate or monitor the slope.

Toth estimated the firm could complete the field investigation in about two to three weeks and deliver a report roughly four weeks thereafter, placing a likely report date in early to mid-October. Wood Rogers also offered an alternative approach of providing short-term monitoring during periods of high precipitation if the commission chose to defer mitigation work until a later fiscal year.

Commissioners said the study will inform budgeting and capital/maintenance planning: the study will identify whether mitigation involves short-term monitoring or larger stabilization work requiring future appropriation. The commission directed staff to coordinate access with the railroad operator; the operator confirmed cooperation for site access.

The commission approved the contract by voice vote; the motion passed unanimously.