Gondola challenges builders

Working high on a mountain has thrown up a few challenges to the team building a highspeed gondola at Mt Ruapehu.

Despite the Leitner Ropeways team facing logistical problems with engineering specifications, getting materials on-site, and the physical construction process, work is well under way.

Whakapapa general manager Jono Dean said in a statement that the Wellington-based design team have been constantly revising the project’s structural requirements.

‘‘Due to the unique geographical location of the site and the rock composition the construction design requirements are evolving daily as work progresses,’’ he said.

Lack of access over the volcanic terrain adds to the complexity of the project. Transporting concrete, for example, from the truck to the construction site has required some out-of-the-box thinking.

‘‘Conventional concrete trucks drive part way up the mountain and are then replaced with a trailer concrete mixing bowl with a 3.5cum capacity. The concrete is then transferred onto a purpose built aerial material ropeway system that then transfers the loads to the locations required in the mid mountain.’’ Dean said. The Swiss-engineered ropeway can transport up to five tonnes of equipment and materials without relying on helicopter use, which can be restricted due to weather conditions.