America's Cup: Construction of facilities proceeds in Auckland
by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/nz 2 Apr 2019 21:49 NZDT
2 April 2019
Work is proceeding on several fronts for the construction of America's Cup bases, in Auckland.
The first bases are expected to be handed over to the teams for construction of their base buildings in four months.
Around 200 people are engaged in the project across the various sites all run under the auspices of the Wynyard Edge Alliance.
As of the end of March about a third of the 140 piles had been driven to provide the platform for the Luna Rossa base on Hobson Wharf.
The platform is constructed of precast concrete planks, which are cast in Whangarei and barged to Auckland every three weeks.
Dredging was also proceeding in the Outer Viaduct Harbour to remove silting and provide sufficient depth for the AC75's which draw 5.5metres with their foils lowered.
Dredging is also being undertaken alongside Hobson Wharf again to create sufficient depth for the AC75's to manoeuvre.
Wave breaks are being installed on the sides of Maritime Museum on Hobson Wharf to reduce the effect of ferry and boat wakes in the basin area, including the inner Viaduct Harbour.
Work continues on Wynyard Wharf and adjoining Wynyard Point. The first set of three bases for American Magic (New York Yacht Club), Ineos Team UK (RYS Ltd) and Stars & Stripes Team USA will be ready to take bases in August 2019.
The remaining two bases will be available in 2020. All the silos will be cleared off the Wynyard Point site, except for some relics to stay south of Jellicoe Street.
The Sealink terminal for the Great Barrier and Waiheke Island ferry will be moved from the eastern side of Wynyard Wharf in the corner with North Wharf as it obstructs yet to be created Base G in that same corner. The area is being "declaimed" with rubbish removed and new material substituted.
The Sealink ferry will be relocated to the western side of Wynyard Point alongside the historic Percy Vos yard which is being restored.
A new link road has been created on Wynyard Point.
Much of Wynyard Point has been cleared of fuel storage of hazardous substances silos or is already in carpark. Work will start soon on the completion of Bases C and D which are the two allocated to American Magic and Ineos Team UK.