Collaboration in Demolition

PHOTO: GRUPO MITRE

GRUPO MITRE

COUNTRY Argentina

PROJECT Derrumbe Caballito Collaboration

CLIENT Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires

The demolition of a partially collapsed building on Pedro Goyena Street in Buenos Aires involved coordinated efforts between Grupo Mitre, Civil Defense, Firefighters, Police, Forensic Teams, residents, and the City Government.

Grupo Mitre demolished the remaining parts of the structure, installing preventive shoring to stabilize adjacent structures and protective measures for neighbouring properties.

Additionally, an access walkway was constructed for residents whose adjacent homes had become inaccessible due to the collapse.

Psychological support was also provided to help both the victims and the work team cope with stress and to assist neighbours who feared for their homes and families.

The collaborative approach resulted in efficient completion, zero safety incidents, minimal community disruption, and reduced environmental impact. ■

PHOTO: KIEWIT

KIEWIT

COUNTRY United States

PROJECT Gerald Desmond Bridge

CLIENT Port of Long Beach

In July 2021, Kiewit Infrastructure West was awarded the demolition contract for Gerald Desmond Bridge.

Demolition of the bridge spanning the Long Beach Inner Harbor Back Channel included the removal of the main channel crossing and approach structures down to grade. The work was contracted for completion by January 2024.

All stages of the project required a high degree of collaboration between many stakeholders.

To reduce impact to Port operations and tenants, Kiewit opted to lower the bridge’s intact 410-ft suspended span to a barge during a 48-hour channel closure.

Together, the project team developed a comprehensive plan that coordinated the timing of the 48-hour closure with the Port of Long Beach tenants. The lowering operation was successfully completed and the channel reopened in only 18 hours. Building off this early success the project team reached final completion in September 2023, four months early. ■

PHOTO: THOMPSONS OF PRUDHOE

THOMPSONS OF PRUDHOE

COUNTRY United Kingdom

PROJECT Audrey A, B and Ensign Topsides and Jackets

CLIENT Spirit Energy Ltd

The first project of its kind for Thompsons of Prudhoe, the company carried out the decommissioning of three redundant North Sea gas platforms -Audrey A, Audrey B and Ensign (each comprising of one topside and one jacket). The combined structures weighed 5,490 tonnes.

Thompsons was responsible for the load-in, setting-down, dismantling, demolition and waste management of all six assets further to their arrival at Thompsons decommissioning facility at their Port of Blyth facility.

The contractors collaboration with key stakeholders Spirit Energy, Heerema Marine Contractors, Port of Blyth and Mammoet, was essential as each party was the project expert within their own sector. The successful completion of the project was testament to all parties involved, who worked as one team irrespective of their employer. ■

PHOTO: P. OLESEN

P. OLESEN

COUNTRY Denmark

PROJECT The Old Stock Exhchange

CLIENT Celero

On April 16th, a fire broke out the Old Stock Exchange building in Børsen, Copenhagen. As the building was undergoing renovation works and was encased in scaffolding and plastic for the addition of a new roof, extinguishing the fire was difficult. The scaffolding collapsed on day three of the blaze, putting great pressure on the structure’s outer walls.

P. Olesen, and project partners Celero Denmark, J. Jenson Demolition, Tscherning and Hockerup, dismantled the scaffolding and cleared the area around the building to preserve the remaining walls. ■

PHOTO: WARD DEMOLITION

WARD DEMOLITION

COUNTRY New Zealand

PROJECT Longburn Freezing Works

CLIENT Talleys Group

Longburn Freezing Works was constructed in 1890 with additions added up until it’s closure in 1987.

The 20,000 square-metre-site suffered serious decay, partial demolition and salvage theft, over its 30 years of abandonment before Ward Demolition was engaged for the clearing of the site.

Built during the height of the Asbestos Era, the structures were contaminated with over 800 tonnes of friable and non-friable materials present throughout.

Another key challenge was the 44-metre-high concrete tower, that had to be demolished within 5 m of a live KiwiRail train track. The two-year project was successfully completed thanks to strong leadership and effective communication between Ward’s regional branches.