The Wood County Board of Education on Tuesday approved a nearly $73,000 change order to allow for soil stabilization at the site of the new Williamstown-area elementary school. The move cuts the project’s contingency fund in half, but allows crews to continue work despite recent heavy rains. (Photo by Michael Erb)

The Wood County Board of Education has agreed to a nearly $73,000 change order for work at the new Williamstown-area elementary school after deteriorating ground conditions threatened to stall all work at the site.

The information was presented to the board Tuesday during a construction projects update from Adam Krason of architectural and engineering firm ZMM. Wood County Schools is in the middle of a $41 million facilities bond project, which includes construction of a new elementary school at the site of the former Fenton Art Glass Plant in Williamstown.

Officials said the ground has been so wet and unstable, heavy machinery was getting hung up in the mud, vehicles could not bring in more masonry blocks and crews were unable to move scaffolding due to safety concerns. Krason said large amounts of rain, a lack of drying time and the need for heavy machinery and vehicles on site all contributed to the ground issues, none of which could have been anticipated when the project was first being planned.

“It’s become so disturbed that they’re having trouble, due to the weather, even moving equipment through the site,” Krason said. “Barring taking some action, we anticipate a shutdown until conditions improve.”

Krason said Swope Construction requested a change order of $72,600 to mix lime and cement into the soil, drying it out and providing a stable base for work. The money will be taken from the project’s $147,000 contingency fund.

“We’re at a point where we think inaction could end up costing more in the future,” Krason said. “We’re not in a position to wait for the soil to dry to make it workable and still maintain the project schedule.”

The change order will allow crews to place layers of lime and cement into a 20-foot perimeter around the building and for paths leading into the site. That will help dry the site, resist further moisture and will act as a permanent base for the site, meaning it will not be removed once work is complete, Krason said. A similar base is under the actual building but only extends about five feet past the outer walls.

Krason said the project remains on track and within budget and will still have nearly $75,000 in its contingency fund.

Tuesday’s decision did not require a board vote, but members said they were in favor of the move to keep the project on track.