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Rivía officials say school construction delayed after soil contamination found
Summary
City staff and the project team told the council that contaminated soil found during excavation will require additional testing and excavation, prompting a 3–4 month delay and pushing the school’s opening into 2028; residents will receive notices and monitors are in place.
A project representative told the City Council of Rivía that crews uncovered contaminated soils while excavating a new school site and that the discovery has forced additional testing and excavation that will delay the project by roughly three to four months. "Estamos pensando que tenemos que atrasar el proyecto de tres a 4 meses," the Project representative said, adding that "La escuela va a estar lista para el verano del 28 del 2028."
The representative said excavated material has been sorted into three categories and distributed to different testing locations; the first category has cleared initial checks while samples from other piles are pending. Councilors pressed for specifics about the volume and type of material removed and whether contractor estimates were consistent. Councilor Michel Kell asked how the city will ensure all soil is safe and monitored, and Councilor Kelly sought confirmation that monitoring and classification would be complete before foundation work resumed.
Officials said a structural check is scheduled for June or July and that the school committee will review contractor selection in April. The presenter promised quarterly updates to the council and that certified letters explaining the situation will be mailed to affected residents. The team also said continuous vibration and air monitors have been installed around the site and that construction will pause if monitors show unsafe levels.
The meeting’s timeline for final construction pricing was described as: testing and classification results due by the end of the year to support a final cost estimate, while the immediate priority remains safe excavation and resident notification. The council did not take a vote on policy changes during the presentation; staff said the committee will continue oversight and provide updates at subsequent meetings.
