Carowinds – Copperhead Strike

Southside was selected by Carowinds to build Copperhead Strike. As the first double launch roller coaster in the Carolinas, Copperhead Strike will deliver twice the boost and twice the bite. This project included the installation of 260 six foot diameter concrete caissons drilled 30 feet into grade. Each Caisson topped with a concrete pile cap supporting the structure. Two launch stations, storage facility and three support structures were also constructed. A seven acre site featuring 60,000 SF of brick pavers and an intricate storm water management system ensuring all water is shed to appropriate BMP structures. Complex power and control cabling was installed to support the coaster.

Carowinds – Fury 325

Southside constructed the worlds largest giga coaster, Fury 325. Southside worked closely with Carowinds offering several value engineering options to adhere to the desired budget for the project. The Fury 325 brings a world class thrill ride to adventure seekers visiting Carowinds. Passengers will enter the ride through the new two story 4,000 SF structural steel coaster station, which includes a wheelchair lift. This giga coaster is constructed of 2,700 tons of steel and stands 325 feet tall, towering over the other rides in the park. The 6,602 feet of track is supported by the 152 concrete footings comprising over 6,150 yards of concrete. In addition to its impressive size and speed, the coaster will travel through two tunnels, one of which is a pedestrian bridge where the coaster will make an underground dive. Construction for the ride expansion began during the summer season which required Southside to coordinate with Carowinds to maintain the construction schedule.

Carowinds – Waterpark Expansion

Southside teamed up with Carowinds and Cedar Fair Entertainment to construct Carolina Harbor. This project included the demolishing of Thunder Road and constructing: Snake Pit Pump House; Rain Fortress Pump House; Wave Pool Pump House; Bath Houses; Retail; Entry Gate Structures; Beach Bar and Restaurants. Challenges: Working in two states, two counties with respective permitting jurisdictions. Managing 55 subcontractors/suppliers, over 400 Craftsman totaling over 370,000 man hours. This project had 15 vertical structures; 51,000 SF of building area; 150,000 sf concrete pavement; 4,500 cy of concrete; 68,000 cy of earth moved; 7400 lf of storm drainage; over 1500 lf of site sewer; 2500 lf of site water.

Southside once again teams up with Carowinds and Cedar Fair Entertainment to construct the new North Gate entrance and plaza. Vertical construction included four new structures encompassing a ticket and administrative building, retail shop and guest services building, restroom facility, and an open air entrance canopy. Building construction included steel and wood framing, metal and membrane roofing, Nichiha prefinished panel and stone cladding, ticket windows, stainless steel tops, wood casework, and ceramic tile flooring. An extensive ten acre site package included multiple segmental retaining walls, access roads, walkways, and a two acre plaza area consisting of concrete seat walls, brick pavers, green screens, segmental wall planters, structural steel trellis, 60 foot flagpoles, and landscaping. Additional construction included a new 60 foot wide vehicular rated bridge and a 120 foot pedestrian bridge spanning over the new roller coaster.