The heart of the project is a new 500m quay wall to create a new berth directly in front of the existing quay wall at Berths 201 and 202.
This has involved driving large steel tubes and sheet piles in front of the quay wall secured with tie bars and an anchor wall behind the quay.
Once the new quay wall has been completed, the berth will be dredged to a depth of 16 metres below Chart Datum (below low water). Finally, new ship to shore container cranes will be installed on the berth.
ABP appointed the contractor VolkerStevin to undertake the works. The piling of the 37m long, 1.8m diameter tubular piles was completed on schedule at the end of March 2013. This milestone date was important to meet in order to avoid any potential impact on migrating salmon smolts which begin to leave the River Test every April.
Installation of the tie bars is now underway and the project team will be putting the main electrical works out to tender during April. All the service works and connections will be completed during Q3 as will the laying of the crane rails. Re-paving the site and completion of works is scheduled for the end of 2013.