The initial preparatory works are well under way. As of today, the moving of living spaces, like the areas of posidonia, pearl and caulerpa (type of seaweed), has been completed.
The dredging of polluted sediment at the bottom of the Port were finished by the end of June. What is it? All the particles we find at the bottom of the sea that contain traces of pollutants, especially oil. In total, 50 000 m3 of polluted sediment was collected either with an excavator from the boats (that can reach 25m of depth), or a special ship specially equipped with a cable excavator that can reach even bigger depths.
“This sediment was transported by sea to Seyne-sur-Mer where they were treated in a waste conversion plant”, explained Christophe Hirsinger, director of the workforce.
Before September 2017
At this date, the dredging of clean sediment was completed. Then the retrieval of these neutral materials, found at the bottom of the sea in the extension zone, should commence. These 500 000m3 of sediment will then be immersed at 100 or 200 metres of depth, in the Monegasque waters, 4km from the Principality. “We need to reach the rocks to begin building the sea extension”, explained Christophe Hirsinger.
Starting from September 2017
Once the bottom of the sea is “cleaned”, the backfill that will come from the Var and the Bouches-du-Rhône can begin to be worked on. The operation should start mid-September 2017 and last eight months. In total, 2.4 million tons of aggregate will be transported to the Port by sea. This backfill will be the foundation on which the structure will be placed.
Also in September, the actual envoy responsible for getting rid of rainwater will be delivered. At this point, Bouygues Workforce will create another contraption that will replace it. It will be installed on the Larvotto. This “Larvotto room” is 300m long and has an interior diameter of 2,50m.
October 2017
Construction of the 18 blocks will begin in Marseille. 18 huge trapezoids: 40m base, 30m top, 26m height. These blocks will be the frame of the sea extension.
March 2019
The 18 blocks will be finished. They can then be sunk to create the frame.
November 2020
Delivery date for the sea platform. From then on, the construction of the buildings can begin. A working site that can now continue on solid ground!
