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High-school construction update flags potential $129,000 gas-line relocation and tighter contingency
Summary
District staff told the board that a shallow utility main discovered under Red Lion Road may require relocation of up to 330 feet at an estimated cost of about $129,000, a development that could erode project contingency and require scheduling work during school breaks. The update also reviewed punch-list items, change orders and credits tied to the high-school project.
The Lower Moreland Township School District received an update Sept. 3 on the high-school construction project that identified an unexpected utility issue and several change orders that together are tightening the project contingency.
Jamie Lynch, presenting the high-school project update, said test pits near the main High School entrance found about 30 feet of a gas line that is “too shallow” and that the utility company Pico is requiring relocation of 330 feet of pipe to meet its depth standards. Lynch said Pico has estimated “roughly $129,000 to do the relocation,” and the district has pushed back while seeking a narrower relocation and a schedule that avoids disrupting school days.
The potential relocation, Lynch said, was discovered while crews worked around existing underground infrastructure. He told the board the district proposed doing the work during an upcoming out-of-session period (Oct. 3–4) to minimize impact on students and traffic, but staff had not yet received a firm commitment from Pico.
Why it matters: Lynch said the project has already incurred change orders for stormwater structures and sidewalk replacements, and the district has paid just over $693,000 to the contractor Morisy against a $994,000 contract. Lynch’s budget summary showed a remaining project contingency of about $68,000 after accounting for a $199,000 DCED grant and certain credits — an amount that does not include the potential Pico cost.
Board members pressed administration on options, including insisting on a smaller relocation, seeking state assistance, or applying temporary asphalt and deferring full relocation. Lynch and Mr. McGuin cautioned that public utilities and PennDOT often set permitting and safety requirements and that the district’s leverage is limited; they said staff will continue outreach and will report back if Pico provides a schedule or a revised cost.
The presentation also covered other site items: a brick sanitary manhole at the Dell Lane driveway that needs adjustment before final paving; replacement of deteriorated sidewalks using unit prices in the contract; punch-list and warranty work across mechanical and electrical trades; and credits under contract retainage pending final closeout. Lynch said the stormwater and sidewalk change orders totaled about $62,000.
Next steps: Administration said it will keep pursuing a firm schedule with Pico, continue working change-order approvals with PennDOT where required, and return to the board with updates. No formal board vote on the relocation was recorded in the meeting transcript.
