Week of 7 August
1. Rail Baltica: Building the Future of Transportation in the Baltics with BESIX
BESIX is proud to be a key player in the Rail Baltica project, the largest infrastructure undertaking in the Baltics that aims to revolutionize transportation in the region. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, BESIX is contributing to the successful implementation of this ambitious project.
Cédric de Biolley, our Station Area Coordinator, firmly believes that teamwork is the key to success. In a recent video shared on BERERIX’ LinkedIn page, Cédric walks us through his day-to-day on site. For the moment, the team is working on the erection of the main structure in the central part of the station area. The ongoing concrete works are mainly for the future decks and platforms. One of the eye-catchers on site at this stage are the 6 Y-shaped columns that have been erected, which will support the construction of the station's waiting hall plate in the future. Each of the columns weighs about 21 tonnes and is 9 meters high. The full structure of the station should be completed by the end of the year.
In the video, Cédric also highlights how every aspect of the Rail Baltica Riga Central Station project is based on mutual understanding and a shared vision for the future. He emphasizes that through meticulous planning and flawless execution, we are paving the way for a transportation system that will transform connectivity in the Baltics.
2. Te Kaha: Making Strides Towards Canterbury's Multi-Use Arena
The BESIX Watpac project team at Te Kaha, Canterbury's 30,000 seats Multi-Use Arena, is making remarkable progress. After starting in January, the substructure and foundation works have been successfully completed. This involved an impressive 55 major pours and the use of nearly 26,000 cubic metres of concrete. To ensure the arena's resilience against seismic loads, over 4,800 tonnes of reinforcing steel were also incorporated into its construction. With these critical elements now in place, attention is shifting towards constructing the vertical steel that will provide the structure to support the seating bowl.
The completion of the substructure and foundation works marks a significant milestone in this ambitious project. The extensive use of concrete and reinforcing steel ensures not only durability but also guarantees that safety remains a top priority. The arena's ability to withstand substantial seismic loads showcases BESIX Watpac's commitment to delivering high-quality infrastructure solutions. In this video, David Kennedy, Te Kaha Project Delivery CEO for Christchurch City Council, walks us through the on-site happenings of the last month.
As construction progresses, excitement continues to build around Te Kaha. Once completed, this multi-use arena will become a prominent landmark within Christchurch, providing residents with a versatile venue for sports events, concerts, exhibitions, and more. The seamless integration of design and functionality ensures that every aspect of this project has been carefully considered.
With BESIX Watpac at the helm of this endeavor, there is no doubt that Canterbury's Multi-Use Arena will be an exceptional addition to the cityscape. Stay tuned for further updates as we witness this incredible project take shape!
3. Dubai Uptown Tower: A New Landmark in Dubai's Skyline (UAE)
Exciting news for visitors and residents alike, as the Dubai Uptown Tower, a skyscraper of 340 metres standing tall in the vibrant Uptown District of Dubai, opens its doors to hotel guests and diners. The hotel rooms and restaurants are now fully operational, providing a luxurious experience for those looking to indulge in the best that Dubai has to offer. Additionally, the office floors have been meticulously prepared, furnished, and are ready to welcome tenants. Some floors have already been occupied, showcasing the growing interest in this prestigious development.
The construction progress of DUT has reached an impressive 99.8% completion milestone. This achievement highlights the dedication and expertise of the project team involved. Anticipated to obtain the Taking Over Certificate in the third quarter of 2023, DUT is on track to meet its scheduled timeline.
4. Brussels goes green: Jacques Delens renovates 3 buildings in the city center
Jacques Delens has undertaken an ambitious renovation project to transform a complex of three buildings in Brussels, as part of the city’s climate plan. The 15-month project, supported by a budget over 6.5 million euros, involves 65 housing units located in the heart of the city center, Place du Jeu de Balle.
The aim of these renovations is to reduce tenants' heating consumption by 65%, cut CO2 emissions into the atmosphere by 61% and improve the average PEB label of the units from E to B ("low energy") The work will not only promote sustainability but also enhance the overall quality of life for tenants.
The project is part of an overall program, financially supported by the City of Brussels and the Société du Logement de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale SLRB BGHM, to renovate and insulate housing in various districts of the capital.
Read more about the project here and here.
And then this… steady growth on the A16 (NL)!
If you thought we were talking about the site’s progress, think again! For the second year in a row, the A16 site team is nurturing a small vegetable patch in the shadow of their infrastructure works. Their pumpkins, courgettes (zucchini) and tomatoes have been developing nicely and some of them can already be harvested to make delicious soup. Peter Augustyn passed by on BESIX Radio last June to talk about his green thumb, you can watch the clip below. To watch more replays of BESIX Radio, follow this link.
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PS: The site is also progressing well. In July, the tunnel Rottemeren reached the other side of the river Rotte. On the Terbregseplein flyover, the teams are finalizing Deck A by adjusting the internal tension to prepare it for future traffic, as well as starting work on crash and noise barriers. For Deck B, also being constructed via the Incremental Launching Method, the teams are now working on segment 7 of a total of 17. Keep up the good work!
