Quarry site design put on hold for more testing

Results of initial geotechnical testing by Palmerton & Parrish Engineers of Springfield show that the property’s fill of soil, rock and other organic material is settling quicker than expected, at a rate of two feet per year, according to a city news release. The data, however, was collected February–April, an unusually wet period because of record rainfall.

The Jordan Valley Advisory Committee has recommended suspending the design process over the summer instead of moving to the next step of developing construction documents, according to the release. Palmerton & Parrish will do additional testing in the next several months, possibly including some bore drillings, to further assess the settlement rates and stability of the property.

Palmerton & Parrish has been working with Portland, Ore.-based firm GreenWorks on the nine-acre property’s conceptual design, revealed in March. The design takes into account the fact that the quarry will settle over coming years and places more load-bearing parts, such as play areas and restrooms, along more stable areas.

During the summer, work will continue on the required environmental assessment of the property, clarifying boundary lines, and studying the best way to address methane gas production at the site’s southwest corner, the release said.