Busch Gardens Williamsburg Resumes Work On Record-Breaking GIGA Coaster
In the start of 2020, the expansion at Busch Gardens Williamsburg was the talk of the amusement park industry. The park announced Pantheon, a unique launch coaster, and work was beginning on a record breaking shuttle coaster, termed “Drachen Spire” by coaster enthusiasts. As the COVID pandemic struck, many were wondering what the fate of the coaster was after the project was placed “on hold”.
After the project was placed on hold for nearly a year, the project has begun to spring back to life. Work has finally resumed on the Busch Garden Williamsburg coaster over the course of the last few weeks.
The original expiration date for the FAA filing was March 18th, 2021. On February 24th, 2021 the park applied for an extension on the grounds that: “The construction have not begun and we would like to request the extension on the FAA determination“. Four days after the original expiration date, a new extension was granted. The FAA stated that the file’s new expiration date was September 22, 2022, set to be finalized on May 1st, pending any appeal.
The original site plan proposal was nearly completed when the project came to a halt. At the time it was suspended, the filing was 89% complete. At the end of March, the file was completed. The final details added to the site plan included details on the ornamental trees and shrubberies being added to the region around the various structures and launch track.
Meanwhile, work has resumed on preparation for construction. A permit for land disturbance would be needed for any vertical construction project following the approval of the project by local government. The original land disturbance permit was left alone since the initial filing. The files have been updated since the original listing was left blank for several months.
This work, although small, indicates the project has been revived after being placed on hold. With work progressing on the coaster, it seems that construction may not be far away!
If you want to get an idea of what this ride will look like, check out this virtual animation below.
Stay tuned for more as this project develops.
For tickets and more information, visit the official Busch Gardens VA website by clicking here.
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