America's Cup: Base construction on target- Timelapse Video
by Wynyard Edge Alliance 19 Jul 2019 18:33 NZST
19 July 2019
Challenger of Record base construction is almost complete - July 2019 © Wynyard Edge Alliance
The infrastructure build project for the 36th America’s Cup has been underway for over six months, and over this time a lot of progress has been made by the Wynyard Edge Alliance (WEA).
A jack-up barge was used to build a breakwater structure alongside Hobson Wharf to ensure the water in the outer Viaduct Harbour is tranquil enough for race boats to be launched safely. A barge was used to dredge the harbour, while floating infrastructure was installed for the base being used by Emirates Team New Zealand. This infrastructure was all handed over in May, marking the completion of WEA’s first major milestone.
Meanwhile, Hobson Wharf has been in the process of being extended to house the Challenger of Record’s base, using another barge. As part of this, 84 piles were installed and progressively fitted with precast panels, which have been collected by the barge from Northport in Whangarei. As these are installed, concrete is being poured over them to form the deck. This work is scheduled to be completed in October 2019.
At the other end of the site, repair works are being done underneath Wynyard Wharf to strengthen it ahead of further infrastructure construction. At the end of June, these works were 90 per cent complete, and they are expected to be completed in August.
On Wynyard Point, a new road linking Brigham Street to Hamer Street was constructed to allow for the former to be closed ahead of construction works for the challenger syndicate base platforms. Work on the future site of the base platforms also began, with grading and demolition works, as well as utilities works, underway. The first two base platforms will be handed over in August.