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Friday, July 30, 2010

Somerset re-opens to car traffic

July 29, 2010


On July 29 Somerset street was reopened to vehicular traffic again.

Scaffolding is still up around the Royal Arch for the use of the Chinese artisans who will soon start applying the seventeen coats of paint to the concrete work.

Sidewalks are open again too, with new concrete and inlaid bricks. The lions and dragons at the base of the columns are temporarily covered with wooden crating to protect them from damage during the remaining construction period.


Friday, July 23, 2010

Red River of cement


July 23, 2010, a truckload of red cement.



The square area around each the lamp post foundation is filled in with red cement.



A wood block with chinese characters is pressed into place.


Members of the BIA and fundraising community leave handprints.


The blocks have four wishes: Longevity, Prosperity, Luck, and Happiness.







Nothing like getting your hands dirty ...



Gathered fundraisers and members of the BIA.



Grace Xin, Exec.Dir. of the Somerset/Chinatown BIA photographing the group.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Sidewalks restored


Work crews have laid the curbs for the restoration of Somerset Street under the arch. The picture shows some of the sidewalk paving being installed. The granite pavers right at the foot of the arch are visible at the base of the columns, which have been crated and wrapped to protect them from construction damage.

On each side of the arch will be pedestrian-scaled light fixtures. They will be the first of the new ones that will eventually be installed throughout Chinatown. In 2011, the section from Preston up to Booth will get the new sidewalks, landscaping, and light fixtures.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

The Lions and Dragons Arrive

The stone lion and dragons are installed at the base of the supporting pillars.



Preparing to install the stone paving around the base of the pillars.



Close up of lion and carved base. It is very hot and heavy work installing so much stone and concrete in plus 30 C weather.


Polished stone pavers cemented into place. With the final polishing of the pavers, the work of the Chinese artisans is almost finished. They return to China on Monday, before heading off to New Zealand for the next arch project.

Later, another cast of artisans arrive to apply 17 coats of paint to the exposed concrete parts of the arch. This will include paint with real gold in it.



Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Base of the arch



The four pieces of stone put in place around the pillar. Liquid cement was then injected between the stone and the concrete column to firmly affix the stone base to the columns and support it at the base.

The next step is to install stone curbs around the base of the pillar. Shown to the immediate left is the pedestal for the stone lions.

The construction project is nearing completion for the Chinese artisans. They leave in a few days for their next project, an arch in Wellington NZ.

Decorative arts painters will soon arrive from China to start applying the 17 coats of paint, including gold leaf, to the Arch.

Base of the arch


The carved stone bases for the pillars of the Arch are now being installed. Shown here is half of one base. Double click to enlarge to see the carving details.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Removing column forms

The 130 ton arch is supported by two concrete columns. During the week of July 5th, the steel forms were removed, revealing the cement inside.









The pieces of steel forms are stacked on site and then sent off to be used on another job.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Filigree panels installed

In the centre of the picture is an ornate pre-cast cement piece that is light as lace. Thinner than the surrounding concrete supports, it lets light through the arch and contributes to the ethereal thinness of the 130 ton arch.




Here is the big piece, along with several smaller sections,when they were cast two months ago on 5 May 2010.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Tile roofs installed

July 5, 2010

The first view of the arch with some of the roof tiles installed.





Chinese artisan preparing a corner of roof to receive tiles.



The complexity of the underside of the roofs is now revealled. Double click to enlarge photo.



These artisans were working on the shaded side of the arch during some of the hottest days in the year, with temperatures +30 C.




Detail of the tiles installed on the roofs.