Abigroup Contractors and Apache Services have formed a joint venture to deliver Tasmania’s telecommunications infrastructure, as part of the National Broadband Network, to install a fibre optic cable between Bellerive and Howrah in Hobart, using a combination of trenching and horizontal directional drilling (HDD).
The project is already underway and involves the construction of a five kilometre conduit path, through which an optical fibre cable will be hauled from Aurora Energy’s telecommunications joint pit in Bellerive to the Howrah Telstra Exchange. The cable will then be extended to the South Arm Highway.
The path will be established using conventional trenching and HDD, a low impact method that involves navigating a drill rod underground for extended distances without disruption to property and infrastructure.
Abigroup Managing Director David Jurd said that HDD is being used to avoid disruption to Clarence High School, as well as decreasing the risk of any environmental damage to a reserve between Corinth Street and Oceania Drive.
Premier David Bartlett was present at the joint venture’s launch, and was taken through a demonstration on how to use a Ditch Witch 27 x 20 All Terrain HDD rig by HDD Supervisor James Burch.
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“Abigroup is excited to be delivering projects in this state with Tasmanian based Apache. The skills and experience gained on such works will ensure Tasmania has the workforce required to deliver quality projects under the National Broadband Network when it commences,” Mr Jurd said.
Image caption:
Abigroup-Apache Joint Venture Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Supervisor James Burch shows Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett how to use a Ditch Witch 27 x 20 All Terrain HDD rig.
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