London City Airport begins pile driving phase of new infrastructure
The CADP Delivery Partner, Bechtel, is leading the project alongside main contractor BAM Nuttall.
A pile is a supporting column, comprising a steel casing with a steel cage inserted and filled with concrete. Each casing is typically 17.5m long and 1.0m to 1.2m in diameter. After embedding the casing into the dock bed, a further 4m is excavated beneath the base of the casing which is then filled with the cage and concrete.
Peter Adams, Chief Development Officer for London City Airport, said: “The piling and decking phase of the airport development is an incredible civil engineering project, right in the heart of London’s Royal Docks. This is the first crucial stage in making London City Airport even better, led by our contractor BAM Nuttall.”
“In essence we’re creating new land to build on, for a new terminal building and parallel taxiway, which will enable more routes, additional airlines and greater choice for passengers. Almost anything that you see today will not be untouched by this investment programme.”
Three piling barges are now in situ in King George V Dock as the first stage of piling and decking gathers pace. The huge £85 million two-year project forms an essential first phase of the City Airport Development Programme, estimated for completion in the first half of 2020.
The overall programme is expected to be complete in 2022. The video has been published to coincide with the start of piling works in the area directly south of the existing aircraft stands 21 to 24, also known as the East Pier. It is in this location where the brand new terminal facilities will be constructed, above the dock waters. The completed deck will also support a new parallel taxiway for aircraft, enabling an additional eight flights per hour at peak, access to new routes and markets, and the facilities to welcome 6.5 million passengers per year by 2025.
