Greenbrier Commission hears update on GigReady Project, approves changes for Meadow River Trail
By Matthew Young, RealWV
LEWISBURG, W.Va. – The Greenbrier County Commission, on Tuesday, opened the sole bid received for the next phase of the Fort Springs elevation project, identified as 4603-002. Saint Albans-based Melton Construction submitted the bid for the amount of $300,000, which will now be reviewed for possible approval.
Funded through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation program, the purpose of this ongoing project is to elevate homes in the Fort Springs area, damaged during the 2016 flood.
From there, commissioners addressed two points related to the Greenbrier County GigReady project – the first being to authorize Thomas & Litton, the project’s engineering firm, to advertise open bidding. The second point related to the project was the consideration of draw request #17.
Joining the meeting via Zoom to explain the request was Region 4’s Amanda Smarr.
“This one has just one invoice to Thompson & Litton,” Smart said. “The total amount is $1,400. 25% of that is matching funds from the TIF (Tax Increment Funding) account, that would be $359. The remaining 75% would be from grant funds, which would be $1,050.”
Commissioner Richie Holliday’s motion to approve the payment of $350 to Thomas & Litton was approved without further discussion, although Commissioner Woody Hannah requested a status update on the project.
“The state has everything that they need to give authorization,” Smart advised him. “Everything is in order. We’re just waiting for that final approval from the state to be able to go out to bid.”
Next before the commission was the consideration of change order number 5 and 6 for the Meadow River Trail Project.
As explained by Project Manager Matt Ford, change order 5 adds 68 days to the overall duration of the project to account for working days lost due to inclement weather. This addition postpones the expected completion date until late-February, 2026.
“There was concern about hydroseeding in the winter,” Ford explained, noting that portion of the project should be completed by May 30. “We didn’t want to extend all work until May, so the 68 days just accounts until February.”
Change order 6, Ford further explained, pertains to the unanticipated need for the installation of additional culverts due to pooling water. According to Ford, three 18” diameter culvert pipes were necessary, at a cost of $7,458.
“Also, when Lynch Construction did the parking lot, a fabric liner was not installed,” Ford added. “So we’re doing a deduction of $2,685 to account for that item.”
Commissioners unanimously approved both change orders, for the total amount of $4,773.
After addressing personnel matters at both the County Sheriff’s and Home Confinement offices, commissioners tabled a request from the Town of Renick to annex the Thacker & Lewis property.
The next regular meeting of the Greenbrier County Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 10 a.m.
