Sound Of Barra Integrated Transport Project
Eriskay - 5th May 2001
A year can make a big difference if you are building a causeway. By last weekend, May 5, only a very few percentage points divided much of the work on the Eriskay Causeway from completion. For instance, 685,000 tonnes of rock had been placed, 98 per cent of the expected final quantity.
All this has been achieved since work began almost exactly a year ago on May 8 with the ceremonial turf cutting.
The hill on which the official guests stood - and where Calum Macdonald, the Islands' representative at the Westminster Parliament, dealt the first blow with a digger - has now vanished and the sweeping curve of the new road and cutting for the Eriskay access route has taken its place.
Causeway
- Rock armouring to core in progress : 97 per cent complete
- Stone parapet walls continuing both sides south of bridge : 2250m complete, 68 per cent
- Causeway filled to final formation level for 55 per cent of length
Bridge
Diversion fill removal, 90 per cent complete
Uist Quarry
Drilling, blasting and excavating rock - 97 per cent complete
Road and Services
- Reinstatement works continuing
- Watermain pipe laying continues on Causeway with about 55 per cent of total pipe laid
- Electricity cable 1000m laid approximately 50 per cent
Weather: mostly fine, with some wind and showers
Personnel: 53 total employed on site (including 2 CnES), 60% resident in the Western Isles.