Monthly Archives

May 2022

Granite Island Causeway benefits from Madsen Giersing expertise

By | News

In 2021, Madsen Giersing were engaged by McConnell Dowell to undertake marine works to support the Department for Infrastructure and Transport’s development of the new Granite Island Causeway that connects the island with Victor Harbor located in South Australia.

The Granite Island Causeway is the only link between Granite Island and the Mainland. The original structure was first constructed in 1864 as Victoria Pier, before being extended to connect to Granite Island in 1875. It has become one of the region’s most iconic and popular tourist attractions. Refurbished in the late 1950s, the Causeway has stood up to the rigours of nature, but time has taken its toll. A condition assessment identified that the original Causeway was approaching the end of its useful life and a feasibility study into the potential upgrade options determined that retaining the existing structure was not viable.

The new Causeway, which opened at the end of 2021, has continued to deliver and enhance social and economic benefits to the region and provides a long-term solution that is environmentally sensitive.

The South Australian Government embarked on a project to replace the old structure. Works were undertaken between April and December 2021, with Madsen Giersing engaged to support the construction of the new Causeway.

Lasse Madsen outlined the team’s involvement, “We are delighted to have worked with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport and McConnell Dowell on what will become a new icon for the region. We were engaged to directly support the construction of the new Causeway due to our experience of temporary marine works.”

“We designed the Causeway’s temporary works, including two travelling platforms that enabled the Causeway to be progressively constructed from the Mainland side. The platforms provided support for cranes to access the work front and for materials to be simply and safely moved to where they were required as the project developed. Our approach ensured that construction was undertaken as efficiently as possible and for the new structure to be delivered to the community at the earliest opportunity.”

For more information about the project, visit:  http://www.dit.sa.gov.au/gicauseway