GEORGE LESLIE LTD CIVIL ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS

CORRAN FERRY – NETHER LOCHABER SLIP REPAIRS

The Corran Ferry provides the vital vehicular link across Loch Linnhe between the A82 trunk road eight miles south of Fort William, and the A861 route to the and peninsulars.

The Nether Lochaber Slipway had deteriorated as a result of abrasion of the surface concrete from the steel landing ramp arrangement of the ferry. There was also loss of support under sections of the pre-cast concrete deck units caused by migration of fines through deteriorating sheet pile side walls. This contract involved the repair and widening of the existing structure by constructing a new in-situ concrete berthing face and deck surface.

In order to maintain ferry operations during the works a temporary floating pier with bridge link span was established to the north of the slipway. This required the construction of a 70m temporary access road and concrete headwork’s.

Substantial mooring arrangements including protection to nearby high voltage submerged cables crossing the loch under the temporary barge mooring lines. Fendering of the floating pier were designed and fitted to allow the ferry to operate with a 3 tonne weight limit during the reconstruction of the slipway.

A temporary access structure was established adjacent to the slipway to provide crane access during all stages of the tidal cycle. The construction involved placing 1000m3 of underwater concrete CLIENT: The Council and formwork in an area of extremely fast flowing tidal current. Steel frame formwork ENGINEER / DESIGNER: R G Parkins & Partners Ltd and large steel support frames were utilised to deal with the turbulent water CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT: NEC3 conditions. The concrete used was a self- levelling underwater mix with reinforcing DURATION OF WORKS: Sept – Dec 2010 (15 weeks) fibres. Precast deck slabs were utilised in the lower area of the slipway to provide a CONTRACT VALUE: £1,250,000 level finish required for the ferry operations.

Blackbyres Road, Barrhead G78 1DU T: 0141 881 9131 F: 0141 881 8265 www.georgeleslie.co.uk