Residents challenge RTC on Lemon Drive core samples and construction transparency

During the public Q&A portion of the RTC project briefing, multiple residents pressed agency staff about geotechnical core samples taken for the Lemon Drive resiliency project and about potential groundwater issues.

Several attendees said they were told the core samples were “faulty” and that the local water table is close to the surface, a condition residents said could complicate planned realignment and flood‑mitigation work. “If that water table is up and it is sealed, what is RTC? And can we get the core samples so that we can take them to somebody to interpret?” one resident asked.

Paul Nelson, RTC government affairs officer, said the project manager, Brian Burn, has more detailed technical knowledge and directed residents to contact him for the core‑sample records. Nelson said RTC has not planned a repeat of the sampling because the agency believes new tests would likely produce similar results and would duplicate costs, but he acknowledged residents’ concerns and said RTC staff would follow up.

Residents also asked how RTC would strengthen Lemon Drive if soils are problematic and whether RTC or project partners would allow independent review of the test results. Nelson said RTC would use appropriate soils and design measures if the route requires stabilization and reiterated that the agency is coordinating with project engineers and partner jurisdictions; he suggested citizens request the project manager’s records for technical review.

The exchange did not produce a formal commitment to retake samples at the meeting; Nelson recommended residents contact Brian Burn for further information and said the project remains under RTC purview.

The discussion highlights a transparency and technical‑assurance concern among residents about a federally funded RAISE‑supported project; residents asked for timely access to core data and clearer explanations of whether additional geotechnical work will be required before construction.