Work is being done on the Atlas Coal Mine’s tipple to make sure it remains in place for generations to enjoy.
This spring, crews began work on phase 1 of an approximately $600,000 project to shore up the icon of the valley.
“The first phase involves a lot of stabilization work,” said Robin Digby of the Atlas Coal Mine. “They are putting support members in, so when the guys come to do the replacement, the building is secure.”
He explains they are also replacing some whalers, horizontal timbers that tie the building together. This includes some of the whalers that are attached to the guy-wires.
“With those whalers that are old and rotten, they compromise the guy-line’s ability to do their work,” explains Digby.
He says they are also putting in new guy-line anchors.
The work is being done by Macdonald and Lawrence, which specializes in timber framed structures. This same company completed an assessment of the structure last season. The company did some work on the conveyor a couple years ago. Digby has great confidence in the company and in fact, Macdonald and Lawrence also looked at the Hanna Roundhouse last week.
The first phase should be competed this season and while construction is underway, staff has been able to continue to utilize the tipple for tours.
