Work on the final link of Wollongong’s Blue Mile isn’t due to start until February, but Cliff Road residents will this week get a taste of just how noisy the $10 million project might be during construction.
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Starting on Sunday, Wollongong City Council has begun a week-long trial for the complex project, to test just how hard – and loud – the rock platforms between the Continental Pool and North Wollongong beach will be to excavate.
Infrastructure and works director Mike Hyde said the council had decided to take the unusual step of doing a trial run in an effort to reduce the risk of a cost blow out when the project begins early next year.
The council’s draft plans for the walkway, known as the Tramway, are currently on exhibition, and include a wider shared path and new sea wall along the narrow, run down pedestrian strip.
“This trial costing us money to do, but we think it’s absolutely essential so that when we let the tenders for the Tramway job we know the constraints,” Mr Hyde said.
“And, for the people who have paid lots of money to live [on Cliff Road], we want to avoid undue noise while they’re trying to sleep.”
He said a council team would use machinery to test which excavation method would be most effective to dig out a 300 metre long, 1.5 metre wide trench at the eastern side of the existing path, next to the Gentlemen’s pool.
Monitors have been installed on some of the balconies lining the ocean-side street allowing the council measure the noise and vibrations.
Project manager Justin Kennedy said the rock was “very dense sandstone” and was expected to be difficult to excavate, so would be tested in three different places along the path.
“We’ll work out which equipment is the best for this job, and also the rate of excavation, which will determine how long the project might take,” Mr Kennedy said.
He said contractors may need to work extended hours – early in the morning or late at night – to make the most of low tides and ensure construction doesn’t take longer than necessary. The popular pathway will be completely closed during construction.