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| BAM chosen as construction partner to modernise Antarctic infrastructure  Construction expert BAM has been chosen to partner with British Antarctic Survey (BAS) to modernise UK Antarctic and other research facilities, enabling British scientists to continue delivering world class research into some of the most important issues facing our planet. BAM has teamed up with major European design consultants Sweco to assist with project delivery.Commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), this long-term UK partnership will last between 7-10 years and is worth an estimated approximately €120 million (£100 million). The modernisation programme will enable a world-leading capability to ensure that Britain remains at the forefront of climate, biodiversity and ocean research in the Polar regions. One of the first projects to be undertaken is the redevelopment of the wharf at the BAS Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula. This is part of the enhancement of polar facilities to accommodate the new state-of-the-art polar research vessel the RRS Sir David Attenborough. In addition to building a new wharf, storage and living quarters at Rothera Research Station, other Antarctic development projects that will be undertaken include modernising buildings and facilities at BAS stations in Signy (South Orkney Islands), Bird Island (South Georgia) and at King Edward Point (South Georgia). The Antarctic construction projects will present unique challenges given the continent is the highest, driest, coldest and windiest on Earth, and most construction work will need to be completed during the four-month window of the Antarctic summer. Construction workers will live and work alongside science teams in harsh and remote environments, sometimes in sub-zero temperatures. The project will be delivered by BAM's British civil engineer BAM Nuttall and BAM International, the operating company of Royal BAM Group active outside Europe. Photo: Adam Bradley (British Antarctic Survey) write your comments about the article :: © 2017 Construction News :: home page |