The first 4 piles were installed in the week ending 7 October. Work continued the following week installing piles at the landward side of the first 4. Installing these piles involves digging a hole in the mud at low tide, sucking out the water, and then preparing the rock for pile installation, which is then inspected by an engineer before the pile is installed.
Next step will be to fit capping beams and stringers to the piles that have been installed.
Much of the wood for the sub-structure has arrived in NZ. Some of it is still going through the import process, but should be delivered to the contractor’s site in Belfast soon. As it has been transported in multiple loads on various ships, there is a bit of sorting to do.
The Eucalyptus globoidea for the planks, rails, and posts are ready to go. The decking will be constructed off-site, transported in sections, and attached to the sub-structure. starting later this year.
For safety reasons, the road will be closed at the construction site for an hour or two every now and then, during offloading of piles or decking. Other than that, it remains open to pedestrians.