Committee approves Wolf Paving change order after crews encountered poor soils

The Germantown Public Works and Highway Committee approved a change order Nov. 5 for the Wolf Paving contract to cover extensive additional base work after crews encountered unanticipated poor soils on several projects (including Wagon Trail and sections in the Katy Vista/Sylvan area).

Staff said the additional work included excavation below subgrade, larger quantities of base material, geogrid installations and added storm inlets on Wagon Trail to improve drainage. "When you have to go to geogrid, in addition to excavating a foot or two of bad soil, you've got some really bad soils," a committee member observed during discussion; staff said the remediation was necessary to provide long-term pavement performance.

The contract change exceeds the previously approved contingency for the specific contract, but staff presented the committee with the larger 2025 road program budget, including sidewalk repairs and ARIP cost shares, and said the overall program remains roughly on track when those items are considered. The committee approved the change order following motion and second.

Staff said lessons learned will inform future bidding and estimating, including increased quantities for subgrade excavation in future road bids and the use of geotechnical investigations where appropriate.