Sound Of Barra Integrated Transport Project

Eriskay - 11th November 2000

The gap between the ends of the causeway has been reduced to 110 metres as preparations begin for the final days of work to end the isolation of Eriskay.

From the Eriskay side, the core had extended to 930m from shore (ave. 2.3m below full height) with 205,000 tonnes of rock placed, extracted from the road cutting on Eriskay which is now 540m inland from the shore, out of a planned 650m.

On the Uist side, the causeway core extended beyond the south side of the planned bridge to 610m from shore (ave. 2.1m below full height) with 235,000 tonnes of rock placed in the causeway, extracted from the Glendale quarry. Rock armouring continued.

Out in the Sound, work on the bridge continued with the driving of steel piles on the northern side in progress and the prefabrication of prestressed concrete beams planned to start during the next week in Ireland.

At the Temporary Slipway on the Uist shore, the completion of slipway facilities was in progress - planned completion 14th November, ferry to transfer from Ludag slipway 15th November.

The gap closure (core only, not full height) was planned for around 22nd November depending on weather conditions. Currently the gap is 110m. The total tonnage of rock placed was exceeding 60 per cent of the final quantity.

The weather was mostly fine, with occasional strong winds and rain

Employment, in all, there were 68 employed on site (including 3 CnES) during this week.