Ramp fix at LEC gets postponed

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
The Weston County Commissioners have voted to postpone the reconstruction of the Law Enforcement Center ramp and stairs after a letter from Structural Dynamics was received on Sept. 16 outlining reasons to delay the bid process.
Structural Dynamics, the engineering firm hired by the county, previously deemed the ramp and stairs “unsafe” and stated in a letter to the commissioners that it needed to be replaced before winter of 2019. The Feb. 22 letter stated that some of the rebar underneath the concrete, which could be in tension, had deteriorated badly and could collapse. 
At this time, Commission Chairman Tony Barton had said that any shifting could cause the ramp and stairs to fall, creating a safety hazard for anyone entering or exiting the LEC.
Despite this previous report from Structural Dynamics, the engineering firm stated in a Sept. 16 letter that “due to factors discussed below, we now recommend that the ramp remain in use through the winter of 2019/2020 season, with the construction work to replace the ramp planned to start in spring 2020.” 
The letter said that the “current schedule is not favorable” to get the entrance ramp and stairs replaced prior to the upcoming winter season. It noted that the design and bidding process will take six weeks from the “current date,” including a minimum two weeks for Weston County to review and approve the bid and for notification of the contractor to proceed, putting the start of construction work at Nov. 11, at the earliest. 
“Starting construction work this late in the season would entail considerable risk for cost increases and schedule delays related to cold weather and construction issues,” the letter states.
The letter continues to explain that another reason to delay the project falls in the numbers of contractors that would be available to complete a project at this time. 
“We are also aware that contractors in this region are extremely busy with fall work, with many contractors in the Gillette area refusing to bid additional work for completion this fall,” the letter continues. “Trying to fit in a project this late in the year will result in decreased interest from bidders and would likely result in higher prices from any bidders that do respond.”
The letter goes on to state that the “most favorable schedule” for an owner to receive high interest from bidders, and the best possible pricing, is to bid projects during the winter with construction planned to start early the following spring. 
“Therefore, we recommend that the design and bidding of the ramp replacement be completed in winter 2019/2020, with construction planned for spring 2020,” the letter states. 
Because of this updated letter, the commissioners voted on Sept. 17 to apply for a State Loan and Investment Board grant in the amount of $250,000 for the ramp and stair reconstruction. 
“To allow use of the ramp through the upcoming winter season, and to ensure that further structural issues do not develop, we recommend that Weston County maintenance personnel perform a weekly visual inspection of the elevated portions of the ramp. Notify our office immediately if there are any noticeable changes in the condition of the elevated portion of the ramp and stairs,” the letter states. “We recommend that use of de-icing salts be kept to a minimum during the upcoming winter season. Manual removal of ice and snow should be used as much as possible, with rock chips applied for added traction.” 
Weston County Attorney Alex Berger told the News Letter Journal Tuesday that he was not comfortable commenting on any potential liability issues for the county if an issue with the ramp or stairs was to arise with the postponement of the project.