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Southern Gap High School groundbreaking: USACE, contractors and school leaders highlight progress and timeline
Summary
Officials from Buchanan County Public Schools, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the project contractor marked the Southern Gap High School groundbreaking, reviewed site work completed to date and outlined near‑term construction milestones, including scheduled slab pours and utility relocations.
Local and federal officials gathered for a Southern Gap High School groundbreaking during which presenters described construction progress, introduced contractor and design teams, and outlined near‑term milestones.
Sherry Fletcher opened the ceremony, provided historic context tied to flood‑risk work and Section 202 program authority, and introduced federal and state representatives attending the event. Colonel Jason Putman of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Huntington District) praised the collaborative effort and emphasized the project’s ties to long‑running flood mitigation and community recovery work.
Project representatives from Skanska and the design‑build team (Branch Builds; BMDO Architects) presented an interactive drone flyover and photographic progress updates. The contractor reported grading nearly complete for athletic fields, foundation work advanced in multiple areas, CMU walls rising in the gym, waterproofing complete on foundation walls, and under‑slab mechanical, electrical and plumbing work ongoing in several areas. The team said steel setting was scheduled to begin in Area A during the week referenced at the meeting and additional steel deliveries and setting would follow in April. Presenters gave a target of completing building slab pours around April 29 and described work to relocate a transformer and establish permanent on‑site power to construction trailers.
Board and audience members asked site‑plan questions about vehicle access and parking; the project team used the drone imagery to show anticipated circulation, the main parking entrance and the relationship of athletic fields to the building. The ceremony also included recognition of students and educators from across the county who had competed at regional competitions.
Contractor and project leadership introduced members of the construction team and consultants on-site, thanked local stakeholders and emphasized that work remains ahead but significant site progress had been made since early grading. The ceremonial portion concluded with invited dignitaries taking shovels and marking the official groundbreaking.
What’s next: the construction manager will continue foundation and MEP work, begin steel setting as scheduled and submit monthly progress updates to the board and administration.
