25 January 2010
Work Starts on Ramp Refurbishment
As reported on the ORCADIAN website [accessed 25 January 2010]
Work has started on refurbishment of six ferry ramps which should extend their working life by 30 years.
Ramps at Rousay, Shapinsay, Egilsay and Wyre as well as Kirkwall and Tingwall will be refurbished over the next 18 months.
Reconstruction of the ramps will involve replacing the existing fill material with mass concrete to minimise settling, and replacing the existing damaged deck with pre-cast concrete 'granolithic' deck slabs toughened to reduce erosion of the ramp by vessels.
Work at each location will take around 12 weeks.
Temporary ramps will be put in place at Tingwall, Rousay, Egilsay, and Shapinsay