Project QuayLink gets its legs

TasPorts is about to reach another major QuayLink milestone with delivery of over 1,000 tonnes of steel piles into the Port of Devonport.

A total of 50 steel piles ranging in length from 12-33 metres are being brought in by the cargo ship Parkgracht and are destined to be installed in the riverbed to literally form the legs of the state-of-the-art wharf. The main wharf piles are 1067mm diameter and 22mm wall thickness and each pile weighs up to 19 tonnes.

TasPorts Chief Operating Officer, Stephen Casey said the installation of the piles would be the noisiest element of the project QuayLink with the steel structures being driven into the riverbed using industrial hammers.

“The pile driving will be carried out by TasPorts contractors, Hazell Brady joint Venture, using a piling rig working from a large floating barge,” Mr Casey said.

“These works will be undertaken in accordance with TasPorts Environmental Standard – Noise to ensure minimal disruption to the surrounding community.”

“A crane will also be positioned on the barge and will be used for lifting the piles,” he said.

“The steel piles are protected against corrosion using an innovative fusion bonded epoxy coating system that TasPorts has adopted for the protection system, and which offers significant durability enhancements and lower ongoing maintenance requirements.”