Civil engineering company Icon Group is conducting the bulk earthworks for three warehouses that will be constructed in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.

The triple warehouse project is being developed by property developer JT Ross Property Group on a 40 000 m2 site, with all three warehouses being of equal size.

Icon Group MD Wayne Neary tells Engineering News that the bulk earthworks work packet was tendered in January and work began in February. The building contractor has also started work on site.

Icon Group was contracted to complete the fast-track bulk earthworks, which include the cut-to-fill to construct platforms, hardstands and roads.

Neary explains that, in line with international standard practice, the three buildings are largely to be constructed using a combination of steel and tilt-up concrete, which derives its name from the manner in which construction occurs: by lifting or tilting precast panels using a crane to form walls.

The warehouses will boast high eave height and docking facilities, as well as high-grade offices, suitable for a variety of businesses. Neary notes that eave height is an important factor, as more eave height allows for more working space.

Consequently, businesses can benefit from greater storage space and it is easier to stack heavy freight and consignments.

For companies using such a space for production, rather than storage, high eaves are also better at expelling waste gases and flocculent material.

“The development has exceptional highway access, owing to its proximity to the R21, which is accessed by a dual carriageway road network. Moreover, the site is mere minutes away from OR Tambo International Airport,” Neary says.

He adds that the project will contribute towards job creation and will provide “thousands” of labour hours, while supporting the local economy that will benefit from long-term permanent jobs from the businesses that will occupy the facility.