Sound Of Barra Integrated Transport Project

Eriskay - 18th November 2000

In the week up to November 20, the final preparations were made to close the gap between the two arms of the causeway which by the Saturday reached 665m from the Uist shore and 985m from Eriskay.

On the Eriskay side a total of 220,000 tonnes of rock had been placed, extracted from Eriskay and rock cut was 580m inland from the shore (out of 650m).

On the Uist side, rock armouring to the core was in progress with 270,000 tonnes of rock placed in the causeway, extracted from the nearby quarry.

At the bridge, the driving of steel piles on the northern side was completed and the prefabrication of the prestressed concrete beams was starting in Ireland.

The temporary slipway was in use from 14th November with the ferry transferred from Ludag slipway as the gap in the causeway closed fast.

The total rock placed was approximately 70 per cent of the final quantity.

The weather was mostly fine/cool, with occasional showers and moderate winds. There were 67 people in total employed on site (including 3 CnES) - 57% resident in the Western Isles.