US blasting specialist charged with restoring faith in explosive techniques.
US-based Controlled Demolition Inc. is the company chosen to carry out the first explosive demolition contract of the post-quake clean-up operation in Christchurch, New Zealand. The company will be employing its explosives skills to take down the Radio Network building on 5 August.
In the immediate aftermath of the quake, residents expressed fears that the use of high explosives could trigger aftershocks. But CERA general manager of operations Warwick Issacs says after heavy scrutiny, it was clearly the best option.
“What it does now is allow the demolition of this building at a much more quicker fashion than what it otherwise would have come down.”
“I think it’s going to be a real symbol of the recovery,” says CERA chief executive Roger Sutton. “This is actually a big monument of a building that’s going to come down in a really spectacular way, it really points to a new moment in the recovery going forward.”
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