Challenge: The Avenel project site was a PFAS environmental site which was subject to extremely stringent testing requirements for sitework related material being imported to the project. Awarded in late October, the project was scheduled to work through the winter for a late June 2020 completion during which time the COVID-19 pandemic began and New Jersey was one of the state’s seeing the nation’s biggest initial outbreaks. Additionally, project design was revised mid-stream to address side-yard setback code requirements that were not adhered to in the original design.
Solution: Peak worked closely with our sitework contractor and the Owner’s environmental representative and development manager to confirm condition of site as left by the Owner’s demolition contractor and environmental remediation contractor to determine the condition of the subgrade from a geotechnical standpoint and pre-determine areas of the site that needed excavation and recompaction to meet the requirements of the geotechnical engineer. Peak’s high-level collaboration with the sitework team and the environmental team to perform detailed sampling, testing and import of acceptable material, allowed the sitework to continue on schedule throughout the late fall and winter and meet precast delivery and erection dates for the building. Peak worked closely with the Owner, development manager and civil engineer to mitigate costs associated with environmental sitework limitations by adjusting grades and a very tight site to limit/eliminate haul off of excess on site material. Peak’s proactive management approach of the schedule resulted in the project being on/ahead of schedule when the pandemic hit and was therefore in a position to minimize impact to the project due to pandemic related municipal inspectional delays or manpower issues.
