Jack’s wall demolition to be completed next month

A controlled demolition of the Jacks’ wall at Ratho Mill is expected to be completed by November 5.

This was disclosed by the Office of the Chief Engineer which used the opportunity to refute claims that the wall had collapsed.{{more}}

“The Office of the Chief Engineer wishes to indicate at no time was there a collapse of the retaining wall along the site,” read a press statement form the Chief Engineer’s office dated October 18.

The press release stated that demolition activities on the remaining 131ft of retaining wall along the Windward Highway at Ratho Mill commenced on Monday, October 11. The works include the removal of the upper reinforced concrete section of wall.

To carry out the demolition, a soil ramp was constructed between the wall and the plywood hoarding to extend the reach the reach of the excavator,” the release stated, adding that the demolition of this section of the wall was completed on Friday, October 15.

The Chief Engineer’s office explained that torrential rainfall on Friday, October 15, resulted in mud flows from the now exposed upper embankment and the soil ramp, onto the plywood boarding.

To ensure public safety and facilitate the clean up, the south bound land of the highway was closed from 9p.m. Friday to 5p.m. Saturday.

As of Wednesday this week, between 10a.m. to 2p.m. there was interruption to the flow of traffic along the south bound lane to facilitate the loading of trucks removing materials off the site.

The Office of the Chief Engineer is assuring all motorists and members of the travelling public that while the demolition activity is in progress every measure will be taken to ensure their safety.

However, persons wishing to use alternate routes must use either the Belvedere Gap near the Seventh Day Adventist Church, to Choppins -Calliaqua by-pass or the Prospect Gap -Harmony Hall -Choppins -Calliaqua by pass.