08/20/13 Plymouth City Engineer Rick Gaul announced the one day closing of the parking lot at the northwest corner of Garro and Water Streets. The parking lot will be closed starting Wednesday August 21, 2013 at 5:00 pm and should be reopened Thursday morning.
The site will be surveyed with Ground Penetrating Radar for underground demolition debris.
Ground penetrating radar is a non-destructive testing method with no health risk to the surrounding environment. It utilizes electromagnetic pulses to detect changes in electromagnetic reflectivity. Essentially, the radar notices the reflective values of metal reinforcing steel, utilities or plastic conduit (even empty) in correlation to the concrete or soil.
GPR has become a popular way to scan concrete and soil as it is quick, non-destructive and not harmful to the health of those around. The technician provided by GPRS for this job site will have completed over 500 projects using ground penetrating radar and is backed by a national network of technicians for technical assistance should it be needed.
At the August 12th Board of Public Works and Safety meeting Gaul was granted permission to have the ground penetrating radar project completed during the overnight hours at a cost of $1,875. He was also allowed to purchase a $300 report that will detail the findings. This money is being spent prior to the reconstruction of the parking lot as a way allow contractors interested in completing the project an idea of what is under the current lot. This precautionary measure may save funding by change orders if foundations and debris is located when excavation begins.
