Ashe County approves $39,000 change order to reconfigure landfill leachate lines and subgrade

County engineers told the Ashe County Board of Commissioners that work on the landfill’s Phase 2 cell uncovered displaced and partially ovaled leachate collection pipes installed decades ago, and that the lines retain leachate more slowly than newer cells. The engineer recommended changing the subgrade floor slope and installing additional subgrade material and revised leachate piping.

The engineer said camera inspection showed displacement and some retained water in the older 8-inch PVC collection lines and that tying new construction to those lines would not be advisable. The contractor’s change order to provide an estimated 3,600 cubic yards of additional subgrade was presented at a quoted unit price resulting in approximately $39,000 in additional cost. "This change order is to address a different issue... Baker's change order request is for $39,000," the engineer said.

Commissioners discussed timing, unit pricing and contingency; staff noted the contract takes payments on a unit basis and that recent work has performed well. The board approved the change order.

Next steps: the contractor will place the additional subgrade and reconfigure leachate collection per the revised drawings; staff offered tours of the site for commissioners who requested them.