On Monday, 31 August, the first barge carrying blasted rock will be transported by sea from Gilhusbukta to the fjord outside the Port of Drammen’s facilities at Holmen. The rock, which originates from the construction of Oslo’s new water supply system, will be used to establish counterfills on the seabed. These counterfills will provide the geotechnical stability required for further land reclamation.
Counterfills
– This marks the beginning of the final phase in the expansion of the port area, as set out in the zoning plan. The counterfills now being established are a necessary first step in the further development of 80,000 square metres of new land, says Arne Fosen, port director at the Port of Drammen.
In recent years, the blasted rock now being moved has been used by Eidos to preload the reclaimed area at Gilhusbukta.
This stone will now be used to expand the Port of Drammen’s land area. Foto: Eidos.
A long-term project
– Our immediate goal is to complete the counterfills so that we can continue developing the new land area over the next 10–15 years. This is a long-term undertaking, and the results will not be visible straight away. Further access to surplus rock will determine the pace of progress, Fosen adds.
Since the 1970s, the Port of Drammen has secured continued growth by expanding its port area. To date, nearly 300,000 square metres of new land have been created through land reclamation.
The barge transport of the blasted rock is scheduled to take place over the next six to seven months, provided the fjord remains ice-free. The rock will be loaded onto barges in the Gilhus-area and transported to the area outside Holmen where the Port of Drammen operates.
Environmental monitoring
Throughout the construction period, turbidity and pH levels will be monitored to track water quality and ensure that the work is carried out responsibly. Noise monitors have also been installed at Gilhusbukta to track noise levels during the work and ensure compliance with applicable requirements.
The loading and transport of rock will take place from Monday to Saturday between 07:00 and 19:00. If necessary, permission has been granted for operations to continue until 23:00.
