Sound Of Barra Integrated Transport Project

Eriskay - 16th September 2000

On the Eriskay side of the causeway where the core now extends to 600m from shore at an average of 2.6 metres below full planned height. Rock armouring to core continues and a total of 135,000 tonnes of rock has been placed, extracted from Eriskay where the rock cut for the link road has reached 350m inland from the shore (out of a planned 650m) . Currently the gap between the causeway sections is 530m.

On the Uist side the causeway core remains 465m from shore (at an average 2m below full height) and the diversion around bridge still had 80m completed, to 520m from shore - no change Rock armouring to core in progress. In all 165,000 tonnes of rock had been placed, extracted from quarry.

Temporary slipway work has started on a temporary slipway on the east side of the causeway to be used by the car ferry between Ludag and Haun when the causeway gap is closed. There, filling to access route has begun while on the roadworks from Glendale Road to the causeway, rock cutting and filling was in progress

At Ceann a Gharaidh, the new ferry port on Eriskay, work continued on the marshalling area with blasting and excavating in progress. This is now approximately 20 per cent complete. Preparations have begun for construction of the breakwater with stockpiling of armour stone ­ preparation to start work within one week.

The total number of personnel committed to the scheme is now 55 in total, including three from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - of the total , 56 per cent are resident in the Western Isles.