|
home | site map | contact us
New Building Construction Progresses Through The Winter Months
The Library’s new building project continued to move forward, despite several severe weather events during January and February.
During the winter months, the construction crews were able to finish the foundations for the lower level. Structural steel for the lower level and the first floor was erected along with masonry shaft walls for the internal stairwells and elevator.
The challenges presented by the site have been significant, the biggest being the issue of soils. As has been apparent, the excavation for the lower level generated a significant amount of excess soil. Much of this soil had to be removed from the site.
However, the remaining mounds above grade level will be needed for backfill around the building foundation. The Library’s construction managers from O’Neal Construction have adjusted work and scheduling in order to retain the necessary soil amounts on site to complete the backfill requirements.
The weather has presented additional challenges this winter. Between the few heavy snowfall events and several days of rain, the conditions at the site have been variable to say the least. This did not prevent work from progressing, with the only significant impediment being finishing the waterproofing of the foundation walls.
The most exciting events at the site happened when the structural steel was delivered and installation began in late January. Large cranes unloaded three story I-beams and assisted the steel workers who set these in place.
The steel installed to date forms the central portion of the Library building. A drive by the site will reveal the core of the building beginning to take shape.
From Alpine Street, citizens are now able to see the full height of the new building. The structural steel currently in place rises to the roof of the second floor. Additionally, the steel deck for the first floor was installed in mid-February. A concrete slab will be poured over this decking to form the first floor.
Once the first floor slab is poured on the metal deck, the backfill will be compacted around the lower level foundation. This will allow for installation of the shallow footings for the remainder of the first floor (located at the Alpine Street grade) and continued work on the shell of the building.
While the project has been slowed somewhat, the construction managers are still confident the new Library will be completed sometime during the late fall of the current year.
|
