Bouygues Travaux Publics is starting work on the first phase of a scheme to create six hectares of reclaimed land for Monaco.

The work is for the Portier Cove land reclamation project, which is being led by SAM Anse du Portier. Total value of the maritime infrastructure works is approximately €1bn (£853 million). Facilities to be built on the reclamation include a neighbourhood with 60,000 square metres of housing, public facilities, an extension to the Grimaldi Forum, a public car park, a marina with pedestrian wharves, a landscaped park, a seafront promenade and a planted walkway running the length of the Japanese Garden.

The construction technique to be used for the maritime infrastructure is a fill enclosed by a band of 18 trapezoid reinforced concrete caissons, 26m tall and weighing 10,000 tonnes each, equipped with absorption chambers. The precast units will help reduce breaches caused by strong swells and protect the exposed areas of the project.

Bouygues Construction chairman and chief executive Philippe Bonnave said: “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to take part in the development of the Principality of Monaco by way of this new land reclamation project which will create six hectares of habitable space, meeting the highest ambitions with respect to sustainable development and environmental protection.”  (Source: theconstructionindex.co.uk)