Committee approves change order to remove stockpiles, adjusts West Washington soil‑removal scope

The West Chicago Infrastructure Committee on Aug. 7 approved Change Order No.1 for Bluff City Construction, LLC under Resolution 25‑R‑0060, increasing the West Washington Street Soil Removal Project contract by $67,967.05 to a revised total of $647,898.50.

Staff explained the change reallocates scope mid‑project: instead of conducting northeast and southeast excavations to the previously bid depths, the revised scope removes two existing city stockpiles (approximately 1,400 and 1,350 cubic yards) and eliminates a planned clean construction demolition debris removal of 500 cubic yards that sampling showed must instead go to landfill. Staff described excavation limits based on soil borings (a 10‑foot area in the northwest quadrant and three‑foot areas elsewhere), wall sampling that determines additional digging, and the logistical stop‑and‑go created by awaiting sample results.

Staff said the net effect of the changes includes a $34,135 increase for replacing two excavations with stockpile removal, offset by a $16,345 saving from eliminating the planned C&D removal and by some backfill savings. Staff noted a contingency item in the change order to cover additional chasing of contaminated soils when samples require it. The project carries a $600,000 grant; staff said the change order helps meet grant obligations while keeping future conceptual planning flexible.

"When we're all said and done in this first phase of many phases ... we're gonna have a flat site, all the stockpile material will be gone," the presenter said. Committee members agreed it made sense to avoid deeper excavation until a final conceptual plan is adopted.

A roll call to approve the change order recorded Aye votes from Aldermen Beebe, Dimas, Hallett, Morano and Smith; the motion passed.