Pile drivers announce return of PT

Padgett Thomas Barracks did not go out with a whimper and it is not returning that way either.

Alumni may remember when the venerable barrack's tower came crashing down in August of 2001, it took the crane with it. (You can still see a movie of the tower's removal if you have a fast connection or enough patience to wait for the download.)

A crane dominates the skyline where PT's tower once stood. To the left of the crane is one pile driver. To see what is happening with PT construction now, check out webcam2.

Cadets who live in Murray and Law Barracks have a special reason to hope the construction continues on schedule. They are closest to the pile driving.

According to Colonel Don Tomasik, the VP for Facilities and Engineering, the contracter will drive 420 piles to give Padgett-Thomas more solid footing in this earthquake zone. The piles range in length from 65 to 80 feet and require approximately 150 blows to be driven the prescribed depth.

Pile driving began in June and should be completed by September 10th. Needless to say, it's a noisy process.

With support from Senator Fritz Hollings '42 and Senator Daniel Inouye, The Citadel received a grant of $15 million in federal funds last spring to replace Padgett-Thomas. That funding and state funding of $11 million allowed the college to begin reconstruction in early June.

Rebuilding PT will cost in excess of $27 million and will take about 24 months to complete, making the barracks ready for students in the summer of 2004.