Concerns over soil stability took center stage during the Grand County Airport Board's recent meeting, as members discussed the implications of proposed ground improvement methods for the airport terminal. A soils engineer raised significant issues regarding the suitability of grout injection methods suggested by Concrete Stabilization Technologies, Inc., highlighting the need for thorough soil testing before any financial commitments are made.

The engineer's recommendation was clear: conduct a soil test to assess the conditions before proceeding with the proposed $120,000 project. He emphasized that the current soil at the airport may not support the proposed stabilization techniques, which could lead to further complications down the line. "It makes a lot of sense to do an actual soil test on what's there before we spend this money," he stated, advocating for a cautious approach.

Board members echoed these concerns, noting the various structural issues already present at the airport, including cracking in the terminal's interior slab. The discussion also revealed procedural oversights, with mentions of a lack of a closed bid process and failure to follow the Request for Proposal (RFP) guidelines, raising questions about the transparency and accountability of the contracting process.

As the board considers the next steps, the emphasis remains on ensuring that any work undertaken is based on solid data and thorough analysis, rather than assumptions. The outcome of this discussion could significantly impact the future of the airport's infrastructure and financial planning.