Construction on State’s Biggest Prison by Graterford now a Year Behind Schedule

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Construction on the biggest prison in the state, located near Graterford, has failed to meet the already extended deadline of October 24, and is now set to be completed a full year behind schedule, writes Joseph N. DiStefano for Philly.com.

According to the state Corrections Department, the $349 million State Correctional Institution Phoenix building, designed to replace the 1920s stone Graterford complex, will not be completed before January.

Walsh Heery Joint Venture, which is overseeing work on the Phoenix complex in Skippack Township, has to pay $35,000 for each day the project is late.

“They are 339 days behind schedule,” said Troy Thompson, spokesman for the state General Services Administration, which has put already the company $11.9 million in debt.

The state granted Heery a bad-weather delay last year and said it would green light another if “conditions beyond the control of the contractor” were responsible for further delays.

However, no new extension was given and there is no official explanation for the latest delays.

“This has not been the most favorable contract in terms of the performance of the contractor,” commented Thompson.

Read more about delayed opening at Philly.com by clicking here.

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Top photo credit: Aurel___ Inside via photopin (license)

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