Work at world's longest Cable Car project in Dominica progressing rapidly: Reports

Dominica: The construction of the world's longest cable car project in the Commonwealth of Dominica is moving at a good pace, as expected. As of January 21, 2024, major works are ongoing at the Top and the Bottom Stations. The on-site work includes the construction of three bunkhouses, one kitchen/dining room, one office, and one washhouse, all of which will be flown up to the Top Station. Other developments at the top station include the LCS 18 tower foundation being dug, excavation of the anchor hole completed, GR lines cleared and weight platforms being excavated. Also, the helipads have been cleared and now need flattening. [caption id="attachment_66853" align="alignnone" width="1300"] Layout for the Top Station[/caption] Initiated in January 2022, this ongoing project is set to unveil the world's longest cable car, spanning across 6.6 km. The cable car promises to provide tourists with an extraordinary experience. One of the project's remarkable features is its ability to transport tourists to the world's second-largest hot spring – Boiling Lake in Dominica, within a few minutes ride. The announcement of this endeavour was made by the Prime Minister of Dominica, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, in October 2022. PM Skerrit outlined that this will be a major attraction for tourists and added that the construction of a ten-passenger cable car has started. The Cable Car boasts a capacity of taking a thousand persons per hour in each direction (one batch takes 20 minutes to move from one side to another).

Developments on the Cable Car as of January 21

Apart from the Top Station, several other works are also being done, which include the development of the bottom station and parking lot as well as bringing several construction materials and equipment. According to the latest insights into the Cable Car project's progress, its current phase includes the excavation of Tower 1 and Tower 13 at the bottom station with the completion of the excavation of Towers 9, 10, 11, and 12. Also, the excess material is being trucked off-site. [caption id="attachment_66852" align="alignnone" width="1287"] Workers at Bottom Station Building Foundation[/caption] The parking lot at the bottom of the station is also in the stage of ongoing development. The second wall of the facility has been retained up to 90%. The corner to the Bottom Station and to Symzees Villa is also in progress, along with the second-level excavation. The parking lot will also include amenities for passengers who want to shop and eat. In addition to this, the team is also working on the roadway and wall for the roadway to Bottom Station.

Other on-site developments include the following:

LCS Tower Foundation and Deadman Anchor installation

• Deadman anchor logs completed
• 39 of 43 GR weight platforms were prepared
• 240 of 280 concrete weights have been casted and piled
• Tower foundations 14, 16, 17, 18 will be flown
• Steel being tied and formed
• All Guy rope lines have been re-cut, and the final tree cutting performed
• Line 1 & 2 winch pads casted

LCS Tower Assembly and Installation

• Tower assembly completed
• Saddles are completed
• Rigging pallets assembled for flying
• Towers 1, 7 and 8 have been installed
• Line 1 winch installed

Trail and Construction Sites 

• Trail work improvements to Top Station and Tower 13
• Construction shed being constructed for rebar bending area
• Helipad dug at Tower 17

Construction Materials and Equipment

• Bulk Rebar order for 385 tonnes of Grade 60 bar in production, arrival in February
• Top Station Self-Erecting Crane from Bigfoot Crane Company being loaded into containers
• 2nd Ford Ranger truck ordered

It is also to be noted that more than 140 local people of Dominica from nearby communities are currently employed in this multi-million project. As this major project will progress, so will the opportunities for local people. The team consists of males and females and this project is making a huge impact on the local economy as lots of people are receiving good wages. Additionally, the locals are very excited about this project as they understand the coming reality of having a good project that will employ lots of people in the future. When asked, the local employees at the project explained the current state of construction and described it as 'fun' and 'exciting'. As the project progresses, it is anticipated that the cable car will become a major tourist destination in Dominica and a Jewel in the Caribbean.