The future of education in Brunswick is being built from the ground up, quite literally, as early site work progresses on the new high school. Since October 2024, construction professionals have been engaged in extensive earthwork at the site, a crucial phase that will pave the way for the construction of the new school building. This essential work, scheduled for completion in early May 2025, is often unseen but is a critical step in the overall construction process.

“Every new school sits on a solid foundation. The 'early site work' is actually the foundation’s foundation,” commented Scott Alleman, TDA project manager for the new Brunswick High School.

This progress has been smooth, with the needed site work being accomplished on time without complication. 

"Early site work" refers to the initial stage of construction where the site is prepared to receive the building's foundations. This involves a series of processes to ensure the land is stable, level, and equipped with the necessary infrastructure. While it has become a common practice in recent years, early site work wasn't always standard in the construction industry.

This work typically begins once the "Design Development" (architectural) phase of a project is complete. This means that while the final design of the interior spaces may not be finished, the design team is confident that the building's exterior dimensions and placement are unlikely to change. This approach allows construction to commence earlier, to meet an accelerated overall timeline.

For large-scale projects like school construction, early site work is often a necessity, especially given the constraints of the academic calendar. To meet the schedule and avoid winter weather conditions, a significant portion of the earthwork and utility installations must be completed in the fall. When the winter weather breaks, building foundations can begin, allowing roughly 24-28 months overall for construction.

Early site work could present several challenges. One of the primary concerns is the uncertainty of subsurface conditions. While soil reports provide valuable information, they don't always reveal the full picture.

Unexpected obstacles, such as rock, shale, or atypical soil conditions, can be encountered. Crews may also uncover remnants of previous structures, like old foundations, which require additional handling.

No significant adverse conditions have been encountered for the new Brunswick High School construction.   

According to Scott, "We're shaping the site to accept the new building. So, you grade the site appropriately. This means leveling the building pad, it may mean removing soil, or even adding soil to make sure everything is level. Then you add everything under the ground that you'll never see, such as storm and sanitary sewers, and electrical utilities, all the services that allow the building to function.”

The early site work package for the new Brunswick High School began in October, coinciding with the design development submission. Since the project was sufficiently developed, site preparation could proceed, ensuring that the project remained on time and on budget.

For the Brunswick High School project, the early site work included:

• Grading the site to establish the building's footprint.

• Excavating retention basins.

• Grading the area for the building slab.

• Installing utilities, such as water, gas, and sanitary sewer lines.

• Stabilizing the building pad by mixing lime and cement into the soil to enhance its load-bearing capacity for construction vehicles and to host the school’s foundation.

Prior to commencing this early site work, all the necessary approvals from the planning commission and the city were secured. 

This phase is expected to be completed by the end of April 2025. Structural construction can begin after a formal groundbreaking on May 3rd. 

Scott also shared a lighthearted anecdote: “I think on every project I have been involved in, there is a time capsule buried somewhere on the site, and no one seems to remember where it is. So we're always on high alert for the hidden time capsule. While I don’t think there is a time capsule on this site, if you find one, let us know!”

Scott emphasized the importance of this stage, stating, “Without this work, we're not ready to install the foundation, and the whole construction project halts. We are in a great position to move this project forward.”

This early site work is a crucial step in the future of Brunswick High School and the educational experience it will provide for students.