Sound Of Barra Integrated Transport Project

Eriskay - 21st October 2000

Workers on the Eriskay Causeway and associated works in the week up to October 21 faced several days of high winds. Mid-November is the hoped-for date for joining up the causeway and so far the total rock placed is approaching 55% of the final quantity This week there were 67 in total employed on site (including 3 CnES) - 54 per cent resident in the Western Isles.

The temporary slipway on the east side of causeway - concrete slab, access road and marshalling area surfacing completed - and divers mobilised for completion of timber alignment structure. The slipway facilities should be completed in early November.

The approach road from Glendale Road to the causeway ­ 400m basecourse completed to serve as access road to temporary slipway.

On the causeway heading out from Eriskay the core extended to 830m from shore (ave. 2.3m below full height) leaving a gap of 250 metres between the advancing causeway construction teams. Rock armouring continued with 180,000 tonnes of rock placed, extracted from Eriskay The rock cut is 530m inland from the shore as quarrying and road construction go hand in hand

On the Uist side the diversion around the planned bridge has been completed. Causeway construction was continuing on the south side of the gap for the bridge - 570m from shore Rock armouring continuing with 200,000 tonnes of rock placed in the causeway. For the bridge itself, the piling subcontractor has been mobilised with preparation for piling in progress and construction was planned to start on 23rd October.