Work Resuming At Future Lower Merion Middle School Site

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — Work on the new middle school in Lower Merion Township will start back up this week with amended work plans to incorporate CDC and Department of Health guidelines regarding the new coronavirus, or COVID-19.

The district said work at the proposed middle school site at 1869 Montgomery Ave in Villanova will start back up this week after its contractors submitted new safety plans.

Work at 1860 Montgomery includes site clearing, the removal of topsoil and rock from the site and eventually the blasting work, about which the immediate neighbors have already been informed. Blasting will occur in accordance with requirements of Lower Merion Fire Department and be monitored appropriately.

"All school district construction decisions should appropriately balance public health and safety while ensuring the continued safety of critical infrastructure," the district said. "School districts and the contractors must ensure continuance of and compliance with the social distancing and other mitigation measures to protect employees and the public, including virtual and telework operations (e.g. work from home) as the primary option when available, as have been or will be established by the Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

According to the district, restarting the work is necessary to meet the timeline of opening the new schools in 2022. The new school is being developed to address increasing student enrollment in the district.

In addition to the work at 1860 Montgomery Ave., contractors start working on the shingle roof replacement Merion Elementary School. The work will be suspended if and when the school reopens.

Contact Lower Merion School District Project Manager Gary Musial at musialg@lmsd.org with any questions about the work.