Engineer flags subgrade issues on Locust Street — contractor rate for repairs disclosed

During an update on the Locust Street water project on June 3, borough water consultant Jeff Bologa told council engineers have identified locations where the sub-grade begins to fail and recommended excavating and replacing the material with properly placed stone before rebuilding the street. He said the contractor provided a unit price of $53 per cubic yard for the extra work, which includes excavation, backfilling, stone and compaction; the full change order amount is not yet known because the complete inspection was not finished.

Bologa said the areas identified vary in size and that there is no evidence of any sinkhole-type concern; he suggested the condition probably relates to underlying clay. Council did not vote on a final change order amount at the meeting; staff and the engineer will report back with inspection results and the total recommended change order.