Unforeseen rock encountered during boardwalk construction over Orkin Lake for the Morgan Falls Connector Trail has added $549,618 to the project’s cost.
At its March 19 meeting, Sandy Springs City Council approved the fourth change order to the trail’s construction contract to continue boardwalk pier drilling operations, according to Recreation and Parks Director Brent Walker.
The initial construction of the 2,933-foot boardwalk over Orkin Lake began to encounter challenges in July 2023 when the contractor, JHC Corp., encountered rock in the drilling process. The council approved previous change orders totaling $527,604 to address these issues, Walker said. These conditions continue to slow the top-down construction of the boardwalk section of the 1.87-mile trail.
JHC deployed specialized drilling attachments and equipment and also used generators and pumps to lower the lake level until the boardwalk is no longer over water, Walker said.
The change order also covers the costs of constructing additional parking at the Morgan Falls River Park and unit pricing for unsuitable soil conditions where a retaining wall is planned. If more favorable soil conditions are found as the project continues, the cost of drilling each pier will be reduced, he said.
The additional work has moved the expected projection completion date to Dec. 31.
With the latest change order, the contract amount rose to $8.88 million. Sufficient funding is available in the Capital Project Budget for the change order, Walker said.
While the trail has not been completed and is not officially opened, many of the apartment residents in the area are using sections of the trail, he said.
Councilman Tibby DeJulio asked Walker if this section of the trail is the most difficult portion of the city’s entire trail master plan.
“From what I know, we’re not putting up a boardwalk over a lake again. So whatever condition we find will be easier to get to…
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