Holdfast Training Services Trial Blog

The installation of the parapets got off to a slow start last week which I expected as every bridge seems to have had its issues. There have been over 2000 parapet sections installed across the project so I initially tried hard to bargain with the superintendent to get the seasoned parapet crew to install the Dickson Rd parapets. It became apparent by Fri that I couldn’t rely on their availability if I were to keep to my own tight programme so we made sure we had prepared well and installed them ourselves using a hired in 20T Franna crane and a trusty Kiwi labourer. We only managed to start at lunchtime on the Mon due to the initial anchor bolts being slightly out of position and had only 2 in place by the end of the day. When I went to inspect the work it looked a little off to my keen eye and after getting the surveying out to re-check the positions it became apparent he had marked the entire western side out of position by 90mm at its worst. Equipment failure was blamed but little harm was done as we managed to catch it early. The next day we only managed another 2 and I had planned for all 24 by Fri. At this point I decided to hire another 20T Franna and got the two most competent guys I knew from the FRP subcontractor on Dayworks to start installing parapets from the opposite abutment and side. This paid off as we managed 9 parapets on Wed and had them all installed just after lunch on Fri.

Concurrently to this we worked in with another subcontractor to install the water pipe through the walkway and fixed the top matt of steel on the walkway as well as some of the traffic barrier steel. I timed the barrier steel to be delivered at the start of the week as we have very little storage space with the road works racing ahead but not for the first time the steel scheduler did a poor job and so I am still waiting for some of the barrier steel which was forgotten. Unfortunately this is the steel for the end transition barriers which we need to fix and pour first so that the type F barriers which are being slipformed can butt up against these.

I managed to get the slipforming subcontractor back on site again mid week and he agreed to carry out the barrier extension work next week, the week before I leave for holiday so I will at least see the paving machine in action and as it stands at the moment I should complete all the concrete works by the end of next week. The only outstanding work will probably be the metal work installation consisting of the traffic railings and throw screens.

Just a short blog but I will post again at the end of the week and again next week to tidy up  a few issues as everything starts to wrap up.