Remediation work to reinforce the concrete at the Silver Spring Transit Center is underway, but officials declined to provide an opening date during an update before the County Council Tuesday.
General Services Director David Dise said the county is “optimistic” that the work will be completed by the end of the year.
Dise said construction crews will continue to work at the site until new cap ties are installed, strut beams are inserted to reinforce concrete and a latex modified concrete overlay is poured over the floors of the three-level structure.
However, it’s still unclear who will pay for the work being done at the transit center, which when open will serve as the major bus hub for the city. County Executive Isiah Leggett previously said taxpayers wouldn’t be liable for the costs of repairs.
On Tuesday, Dise said a request for an appropriation to pay for work at the center would be submitted in two to three weeks. He said the county would front money to pay for the repairs, then the county plans to sue the original contractors to recoup costs.
The total cost of the center now stands at $120 million, well over the original $93 million estimate. The center was originally scheduled to open in 2010, but officials delayed the opening after cracks were found in the structure's concrete.
Montgomery County Inspector General Edward Blansitt also released his department’s report on what caused the problems at the center Tuesday. He said inspectors identified lax quality controls when pouring concrete in cold weather and that recommendations made during meetings to fix problems early on in the construction process were not followed-up on.
The report recommends the county hire an independent architect and engineering team on future unique projects in the county, such as this one, to prevent similar issues.
Construction workers install cap ties at the center. Photos via Montgomery County
