An important stage: the maritime works are close to being finished
“The work on land has hardly been affected at all. We have succeeded in complying with our scheduled deadline. The work is due to be completed in mid-December. However, these weather conditions slowed down the positioning of the rocks and blocks at the quay that will form the link between the ring of caissons and the land near Le Larvotto somewhat.”
There is nothing to be concerned about, in the manager’s opinion, because in his words, “we had envisaged gaining a little time and being ahead of schedule at this site. The weather conditions will prevent the gain, but we should still be within our scheduled conclusion by the Christmas holidays.”
72 quay blocks will be put into place in the next few days, while according to Christophe Hirsinger, “the remaining work is going well, and will be done as per our plans.” This is a relief. With most of the maritime works reaching their conclusion after three years of construction, the weather should have less of an impact on the project’s future.
THE TRANSITION FROM THE SEA TO THE LAND
Once the backfill works have been completed, the level of the earth within the ring of caissons will be made homogeneous compared with the global sea level (GSL). A grading layer will then be built so as to reach the level required by the technical specifications: that is, a GSL of 1.5 metres. The numerous maritime resources will then gradually give way to land-based machinery. This will be a real change.
THE NEW CHALLENGE: GROUND TREATMENT
A finished platform does not mean a platform that is ready to be urbanized. The various ground treatment sites stand between the two phases. Numerous test areas have been at work since the end of September to validate the methodologies. These tests consist of reproducing the envisaged techniques in situ and on small surface areas before making them general. Here is one example: on the western side of the project, a number of piles have been completed since 21st October. They will validate a broader project that includes 1,000 of these piles right across the site to combat any possible soil liquefaction phenomena. The initial observations have been conclusive, and all 1,000 piles should be in position no later than March 2022, signalling the end of ground treatment operations and the launch of a new phase: the urbanization of the site.
