Unforeseen issue with depth of bedrock to blame
Delays caused by uneven bedrock at the end of the King Edward VIII Pier will set back a project to upgrade the site by several months.
The Department of Infrastructure is currently in the process of altering the structure to accommodate the Steam Packet's newest vessel, Manxman.
The major engineering project got under way in September last year, with an end date stated at the time as 'in the new year'.
However, Director of Harbours, David Gooberman, now says this will likely be after TT.
ISSUES
It's due to issues encountered around the installation of the two mooring dolphin piles at the end of the pier - namely the depth of the bedrock being further below sea level than anticipated.
A test borehole (BH) first indicated the depth of the bedrock to be around 10 metres beneath sea level. And while TP1 and TP3 have been installed a little over that, TP2 connects at more than 17m and TP4 at almost 15m below sea level.
This has required longer and more powerful specialist drilling equipment to be deployed, to ensure the temporary piles can be secured into the bedrock at a deeper level.
Since the issue came to light, test boreholes have been drilled for both of the mooring dolphins with bedrock found at 12.7m and 13.4m.
All six piles required to create the temporary drilling platform for the permanent dolphin piles have been successfully installed, and the next step will see the creation of the temporary drilling platform and then drilling taking place.
The Department says it and the contractor is 'collaborating well' with the Steam Packet to 'ensure the project can continue to move forwards while ensuring there is minimal effect on sailings and the overall passenger experience'.
When asked if the delayed completion date would affect those sailing to and from the Island during TT, Director of Harbours David Gooberman said they are "not expecting it" to have any impact.
The project was included in the 2023 Budget capital programme with £6.61m allocated - however the cost of the additional work is unclear at this stage.
COMPLETED
Elsewhere, the DOI confirmed three new 100-tonne mooring bollards have been successfully installed and are now available for full use tying up the Manxman.
Around 80 cubic metres of concrete were removed during the construction, which included drilling down through the quay and into the bedrock to make a secure connection.
Around half of the rockbags have now been placed beneath the water at the foot of the quay wall as an added layer of protection from fast moving water around the vessel’s propellers and thrusters.
The installation process remains ongoing and involves the bags, which weigh up to 4 tonnes each, being placed on to a catamaran and then lifted down into the water.
Specialist divers then help to guide them into place against the wall.
The DOI also says while this process has been taking place, planned repairs to the quay wall have been undertaken and are now close to being finished.
You can find out more about the project in our previous reporting HERE and on the dedicated webpage HERE.
Manx Radio visited the site last week to find out more about the work completed and the delays to the project, you can watch that interview below.
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