Weather puts construction behind schedule

Construction of the new Peters Township High School is slightly behind schedule because of inclement weather, according to the district’s construction management firm, Reynolds Construction of Oakmont.

Roshelle Fennell of Reynolds Construction updated the school board Monday on the progress of the new high school, which is being built off East McMurray Road at the site of the former Rolling Hills Country Club.

Ms. Fennell said crews are about two weeks behind schedule installing grade beams for the school’s foundation. She said more time has been spent pumping out water from trenches dug for the beams than actually installing them because of the unusually wet weather.

“We really need it to get cold and stay cold,” Ms. Fennell said.

Crews are working Saturdays to make up for lost time and also will be adding a second crew to get back on schedule, she pointed out. In addition, they have been working off generators, but are now in the process of getting temporary power from a transformer that used to be used by the country club.

The board approved three change orders from A. Liberoni, the site work contractor for the project, totaling $48,752. They include $11,115 for rip rap rock at the toe of the slope at the new school, $24,372 for pyrite seal and drain construction work, and $13,265 for the removal and replacement of a coal seam with limestone.

Also approved were $2,285 in change orders for design work from its architect, Hayes Design Group of Robinson.