Lochaline Aligning Structure Replacement

The project will consist of the replacement of the existing timber alignment structure with a new continuous twin wall sheet pile alignment structure with a single layer of tie rods. Lochaline Ferry Terminal is located within the Morvern area on the Ardnamurchan peninsula on the West coast of Scotland and owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL). A regular ferry service operates between the slipway at Lochaline and Fishnish on the Isle of Mull. The existing aligning structure at Lochaline is believed to have originally been constructed in the early 1970’s. The structure comprises a series of timber piles at 2,1 m centres with longitudinal walings and raking timber struts to the rear of every other pile. The structure has been upgraded Several times in the past including the addition of an inner dolphin circa 1980 and the construction of the outer dolphin in 1998. The vessels operating on this route have increased in size considerably since the structure was first built and consequently the structure is now continuously being damaged through “normal use”. It is therefore considered to have reached the end of its serviceable design life. Project Scope The project will consist of the replacement of the existing timber alignment structure with a new continuous twin wall sheet pile alignment structure with a single layer of tie rods. The existing alignment structure will be demolished in 14,5 m long sections commencing from the landward end. Temporary braced piles will be driven at the seaward end of each cell to protect the works from the ferry during construction of the new facility. The new structure will be built some 2 m behind the existing berthing line and will consist of 8 cells. The new alignment structure will be protected by QME 600 CO element type fenders (or similar). The recently constructed access walkway linking the current inner dolphin to the outer dolphin will be demolished once the new alignment structure is constructed. A new, independent, open, piled infill structure will be constructed to link the new alignment structure with the outer dolphin whilst accommodating the crew access gangway. Other works included within the scope are: (a) upgrading and extension of slipway; (b) provision of a power supply for a hybrid ferry charging point; (c) upgrading of the lighting throughout the site (includes marshalling, etc.); (d) increasing the size of the marshalling area; (e) new through road including passenger drop off and parking.