Opinion ID: 1810721
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: big holmes

Text: This project involved work on Interstate I-55 in the general Goodman-Durant area, and Stanton claims it was damaged by the slowdowns caused by compaction and density tests, the Commission's demands that culvert pipe be laid and embedded according to the applicable specifications; the Commission's departure from a planned sequence for the work of the contract at one stage by requiring all work to be first completed on a two-mile segment, and by Commission's withholding of liquidated damages for Stanton's failure to complete the contract in timely manner. There is long testimony about the number and manner of the density tests to determine if the earth had been properly compacted. Much complaint is voiced as to the laying of the pipe, but the requirement that it be laid as exacted by the Commission is strictly in accordance with § 603.04 of the 1967 Standard Specifications, made a part of the contract. We find no prima facie case in favor of the claim as to the density tests and the pipe embedding. Contrary to the sequence schedule submitted to, and approved by, the Commission, the Commission, at one point, required all work to cease elsewhere on the almost thirteen-mile span of the contract, until work was completed on the two miles of the project next south of highway 14. Owing to this requirement the work was greatly slowed down and Stanton was damaged thereby. Liquidated damages in the amount of $34,440 were withheld by the Commission, which, if caused by the restriction of area of in-grade work as noted first hereinabove, should have responding proof from the Commission. We conclude that, in the in-grade preparation and the liquidated damages, Stanton produced a prima facie case.