East Campus Tunnels Assessment
The Augusta Mental Health Institute (AMHI), East Campus consists of multiple buildings, serving as a psychiatric hospital until 2004, with many of them connected by subterranean tunnels linking basements below grade. The tunnels provide pedestrian access and raceways for various utility lines for the campus, varying in construction from cast-in-place concrete to brick masonry arches with supplemental steel framing. Moisture infiltration in tunnels is common, and signs of deterioration were observed in the masonry structures, framing, utility lines, and fire suppression system.
Gale performed an evaluation of the tunnel structures, utilities, and presence of hazardous materials to document as-built conditions, extent of deficiencies, and provide opinions regarding renovation versus abandonment. Air quality was also reported as a concern due to moisture and lack of appropriate ventilation.
