At Vertech Group, we are proud to announce the successful completion of the Koolan Island Bridge, a 94-meter-long structure that stands 150 meters above the bottom of the pit. This project was a remarkable collaboration between Vertech Group and Abseil Access, demonstrating the power of teamwork across borders, as our teams from both New Zealand and Australia came together to deliver outstanding results.
Koolan Island Bridge: A Collaboration Success Story
The Challenge: Improving Site Access
Prior to the construction of the bridge, accessing the site on the far side of Koolan Island presented a significant challenge. It took workers up to 2 hours just to reach the site, leading to a daily loss of 3-4 hours in productivity. This bottleneck had a direct impact on various campaigns operating on the island, emphasizing the need for a solution that would save time and improve efficiency.
Safety Considerations: Reducing Response Times
Before the bridge was built, the isolated location of the pit wall made rescues a real challenge for the on-site Emergency Response Team (ERT). A rescue would have required a big team effort, with the rope access crew transferring the injured person (I.P.) across a zip line—potentially in a stretcher—before ERT medics could step in. But with the new bridge in place, the risk profile has dramatically improved! Now, the ERT team can reach the site directly, cutting down response times and making it much safer for everyone.
The Solution: Building a Bridge for Efficiency
The Vertech and Abseil Access teams collaborated closely to design and build the Koolan Island Bridge, which dramatically improved site access. In just 3 weeks, the team completed the project, allowing for rapid transit between the two sides of the island. The bridge has not only reduced travel time but has also enabled more seamless operations for multiple campaigns in the area.
A Lasting Impact
The Koolan Island Bridge has had an immediate and profound impact on operations, reducing transit times, improving efficiency, and supporting the work of various campaigns on the island. This project stands as a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration, innovation, and strong leadership.
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