Construction of locomotives turntables
Location: Miraflores and Gatun Locks, Panama
Client: Panama Canal Commission
Designer: Panama Canal Commission
In an effort to reduce vessel transit time in the Panama Canal and thereby increase the overall number of transits, The Panama Canal Commission developed a scheme in 1990 to queue towing locomotives to reduce towing times through the lock chambers and provide for more efficient transits. We were contracted to develop and implement a construction methodology that would ensure quick construction while causing no interference with daily operations. So successfully was the planning and construction on this difficult project that we earned the maximum early completion bonus allowable under contract.
Notable features of the job were:
- Precision diamond wire saw cutting and removal of large concrete elements, some weighing over 140 metric tons. Elements were loaded onto barges and dumped at sea to form an artificial reef for recreational use
- Fabrication and erection of locomotive turntable involving precision millwright works
- Works performed at both Gatun Locks (Atlantic) and Miraflores Locks (Pacific)
Construction of transfer table for the TUG/MITER gate repair facility
Location: Mt. Hope, Colon, Rep. Panama
Client: Panama Canal Commission
Designer: Panama Canal Commission
In addition to facilitating the transit of ships between the world´s two great oceans, the Panama Canal Commission provides other ships services such as dry-docking and ships repairs. While equipped to perform service and repair to its own fleet of tugboats, launches and barges, the Panama Canal Commission also envisioned the expansion of its capacity for repair of private ships and vessels while within the Canal operating area. In support of this goal, the Panama Canal Commission contracted us to construct a lateral transfer system at its Mt. Hope Industrial Division Complex.
The lateral transfer system allows for easy movement of vessels via a rail-mounted table from existing ship-lift facility to newly expanded work aprons. By greatly increasing the operations flexibility and available work area, the capacity of the existing complex more than doubled. With the on-time and safe completion of this project, our company once contributed to the Canal´s history of efficient service to the world´s maritime fleets.
Features:
- Installation of 2350 m of 270 mm diameter x 25mm w.t. steel pipe piles, concrete filled with coal-tar epoxy paint.
- Partial, controlled demolition of existing structure.
- 1700 m3 of cast-in-place concrete construction, 60% below water level and 3,500 ton of precast concrete elements
- Design and performance of three 200 Ton offshore pile load test.
- Installation of 2050 m of rail and construction and installation of a Syncholift- designed 1,000 ton capacity transfer table
- Disassembly, removal and storage of the 85 year old, 200 m long steel suspension bridge
Isla Canales de Tierra- High End Residence
When the Owner’s Representative/Executive Architect contacted the Company to discuss how we might help them complete the construction of a complex structure located on an island small island off the western Pacific coast of Panama, the challenge/opportunity was impossible to pass up.
Isla Canales de Tierra (aka Isla Simca) is home to a high end private residence located at an extremely remote site with difficult access.
Upon arrival at the site, the company found a project several years behind schedule and with no clear plan for completion. The company staffed the project with replacement Project Manager, Project Engineer and Superintendent. Within less than a year, the project was on a schedule for early completion and on Owners budget.
Major work included:
Establishing a dependable method of transportation of construction materials
Fabrication and installation of structural steel frame
Production and placement of high quality concrete
Work also included the rebuilding of an abandoned dirt landing strip such that small general aviation aircraft could once again land within a short boat ride from the project location.
Biomuseo
World-renowned architect Frank Gehry has chosen the Museum of Biodiversity, located at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, as his first design project in the Americas. ICS was contracted as Executive Engineer and serves as the architect’s local representative in all matters related to site and civil engineering. ICS is responsible for assuring the architect’s vision is carried out, both in physical dimensions as well as in the project’s spatial impact.
The museum complex, known as Panama: The Bridge of Life, is an elaborate concrete and steel edifice of unconventional shape. Quality of construction is of utmost importance to the structural integrity and durability of the building.
C/M services provided by ICS included
- Project scheduling and program administration oversight
- Serving as liaison between owner, architect and construction manager
- Reviewing and advising on constructability issues
