Gov’t hails gamechanging technology in Pinnacle construction
Local contractors looking to invest in modern equipment
‘This is the beginning of our future of Jamaica. This is the beginning of construction at a new and higher level and this is what we’ve all been waiting for.’
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE OFFICE of the Prime Minister says Pinnacle and its construction company, Brothers Concept and Solutions Limited, have advanced the use of building technology which is now serving as a game changer in the local construction industry.
The seven-member LCH Development team is investing US$350 million into the project. Construction started last Saturday and will unfold in phases, with the first two towers expected to be completed within 36 months.
“There is no doubt from what I am seeing that it will be a game changer in the construction industry,” said Homer Davis, minister of state in the Office of the Prime Minister Western, in response to the new technology that is now being used in Jamaica by Brothers.
Brothers is using a 500ton static hydraulic press pile machine, operating at 175 kilowatts, to drive approximately 1,600 piles at a depth of 100 feet, on which it will build out what will become the Pinnacle, Jamaica’ s exquisite new residential development.
The community is being developed on the Montego Bay Marine Reserve and consists of four separate towers, each with 28 storeys and a panoramic view.
There will also be 15 luxury villas, sports and leisure facilities, shopping areas and restaurants including a private residents club. This is being spearheaded by LCH Developments and designed by Issia Madden, a born and bred Montego Bay-based architect.
“What is happening here has never happened anywhere in the Caribbean that I am aware of. I am sure that several local developers will be looking at how they can use some of these technologies in their projects,” said Davis, who has portfolio responsibility for government projects in St Ann and western Jamaica.
He told The Gleaner that Brothers Concept and Solutions decided to partner with the government to train Jamaican workers to use and maintain the static hydraulic press pile machine.
“During the construction phase they will impart the knowledge to Jamaicans and that is very commendable,” Davis noted.
SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED
Neville Ricketts, managing director of Transform Jamaica Construction, says he is looking forward to embracing the latest technology.
“In terms of modern technology, anything that will improve efficiency and can manage noise and dust pollution in any construction site would be a major benefit,” Ricketts said when contacted on Monday for a response.
He noted that while he doesn’t have any projects that require driving piles, he is prepared to invest in this and any other equipment that will enhance his company’s profile.
According to Ricketts, China is at the helm of construction and innovation in the global construction industry.
He says he has been watching videos out of China that show the latest developments in the construction industry and the type of equipment they are developing and using and will be investing in a few of them.
“If we should incorporate even a small percentage of that in our construction industry, the quality of our product would be better. Efficiency would be better and construction cost more manageable,” he added.
The Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) welcomed the new technology.
“We have been assured and we are witnessing that this morning that there will be no noise or excess dust nuisance during the construction phase,” said Oral Heaven, president of the MBCCI at the commencement of the construction phase of Pinnacle on Saturday.
“If you can go 100 feet into the ground and get no noise, then that shows that they (LCH Development and Brothers) are serious about what they are doing and that they will live up to our expectations and their obligations to protect the environment,” Heaven told The Gleaner.
Tanya Golaub, chief operating officer for LCH Developments, insisted that her company will ensure that the environment is protected by working with the relevant agencies, amid the enormous scope of work required to build out the Pinnacle.
“This is the beginning of our future of Jamaica. This is the beginning of construction at a new and higher level and this is what we’ve all been waiting for,” Golaub said.
“We work along with the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and we have implemented several different procedures that are required, even things that are outside of the scope of what NEPA will require,” she said.
She argued that the technology being used will ensure that people who live and work in the vicinity will not be significantly impacted when the hydraulic static pile drivers are being used because they operate with no noise, no vibration, no pollution and do not leave rubbish on the construction site.
“What you are going to see now is an advancement in technology where there will be limited dust emissions, there will be limited noise, and that will help as well just showing the advancement of how construction is moving in Jamaica,” Golaub said.