Hendrick Construction Building Next Roller Coaster at Carowinds
Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 17, 2008 … Building a roller coaster is no simple task, but Hendrick Construction, Inc. is up to the challenge to undertake the Carolina Cobra – the newest thrill ride at Carowinds.
When the roller coaster opens next spring, Carolina Cobra will send passengers along a 935-foot track that drops almost 10 stories and reaches speeds of almost 50 mph. The project’s size and demanding specifications create challenges that are unique from other construction sites.
Charlotte-based Hendrick Construction is building the foundations, queue line, control station, site paving and amenities for the roller coaster. When that work is complete in February, Hendrick will work in partnership with Carowinds and the ride’s creator to assemble and mount the structure.
“We’re on an aggressive schedule to finish on time while maintaining a safe site for our employees and guests at Carowinds,” said Roger Hendrick, president of Hendrick Construction. “Exceptional teamwork and constant communication among us, the roller coaster’s creator and Carowinds will be our daily routine for the next five months. We’re excited about the challenge.”
The project will require 1.6 million pounds of structural concrete and 60,000 pounds of reinforcing steel to support the track and forces exerted by the ride. The roller coaster will be supported by a series of structural concrete caissons that, in some cases, extend more than 15 feet underground. For comparison, conventional building foundations typically average two feet.
One of the challenges facing Hendrick’s crews is working around the park’s hours of operations. The construction site has to be cleaned and secured before each weekend or special event so it does not interfere with Carowinds’ guest experience.
To account for the roller coaster’s exacting specifications, the site and foundations will be surveyed using a global positioning system (GPS) instead of traditional methods for the greatest precision possible.
The Carolina Cobra is located near the entrance of Boomerang Bay on a 1.5-acre site that straddles the border of North Carolina and South Carolina. The “boomerang” coaster will send riders along a 65-degree descent into three inversions until the train is caught by a second lift hill and towed to the top. When the train is released, riders will race backward through the inversions to the starting point.
Charlotte, N.C.-based Hendrick Construction, Inc. provides general contracting services throughout the Southeast. Founded in 2002 by Roger Hendrick, the company’s portfolio includes facilities for corporate headquarters, manufacturing, industrial, health care and bio-tech companies, as well as schools, government offices, churches and restaurants. Hendrick Construction was named one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s fastest growing businesses in America in 2008. For more information, visit www.hendrickconstruction.com.
Carowinds, one of the premier entertainment destinations in the Southeast, is a 112-acre amusement park on the border of North Carolina and South Carolina. The park features 11 roller coasters, a water park, various family rides and live shows. Carowinds is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company. For more information, visit www.carowinds.com.
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