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Photo: R. O’Neill
INTERVIEWS
Peter Luger, project manager
ISR: What were the main challenges in the implementation
of the project?
P. Luger: With such a mega project, there are very
many constantly changing challenges. I would like
to limit my remarks here to what I found to be the
three biggest.
Developing the project, planning the ropeway engineering and observing
the work schedules: With its 3km span, a new and highly aesthetic tower
design in the form of tubular lattice work, and the need for close collaboration
with the management at Whistler / Blackcomb and the local planners,
the project was basically one long challenge. And the nine hours time difference
also helped to ensure that my working day was often very long.
Collaboration with the Canadian ropeway authority (BCSA) and the individual
rulings required to get the 3S system approved constituted a further
challenge that needed my attention throughout. The Canadian ropeway
code does not cover such an innovative and complex system as a 3S gondola.
That made it necessary to submit requests for variances for all the items
where the Peak 2 Peak diverges from Canada’s CAN/CSA Z98-01.
On-site installation and co-ordination of the work has also been one of the
main challenges in the last two years. With the help of the fantastic, highly
motivated teams from Austria, Canada and Switzerland, we really rose to
this challenge! The installation team leaders in particular did a superb job;
I merely had to provide the support.
Could you briefly describe the main phases of the work on site?
Erection of towers 3 and 2 in the period from 27 August to 21 October
2007. That meant we achieved our goal for the first year on site before the
snows came.
Installation of the terminal systems in May and June 2008. At the same
time towers 1 and 4 were erected, and the finishing touches put to towers 2
and 3, which are 62.5 m high. In the first five weeks, the terminal installation
team from Wolfurt and Canada showed such commitment that they
were able to make up for the two-week delay to the commencement of
works caused by the amount of snow on the ground.
Transporting the ropes from the Fatzer plant in Romanshorn to the top of
Blackcomb Mountain.
Rope stringing from May to September 2008. The complex preparations
for stringing were performed simultaneously with installation of the terminal
and line equipment. And stringing could begin the moment the first
track rope arrived at the terminal. That was a real challenge for our Swiss
colleagues from Garaventa, and it was handled with perfect planning and
organization.
Installation of the electrical systems for the Peak 2 Peak Gondola and the
four evacuation gondolas from mid-June to the end of September 2008.
Installation and commissioning of the evacuation systems at the end of August
and beginning of September 2008.
Assembly and finishing work on the 28 carriers in September.
Final adjustments and internal start-up of the complete installation in
October.
Final inspection and approval by the authorities in November, with the
whole system ready to go right on time on 15 November 2008.