Technical innovation revolutionises bridge replacement
11.08.2008
It is a complicated and time-consuming job to replace large, heavy bridges - with conventional methods, that is. In Nyköping today, a heavy bridge lift was carried out using a technical solution that will revolutionise the future of bridge replacements. The 320-ton, 51 metre long bridge was lifted entirely from dry land.
"A truly groundbreaking project. Our technical solution is quicker and environmentally sound, and causes less disruption to traffic. Replacing something like this large, heavy railway bridge across Nyköpingsån river requires major lifting capacity," explains Havator's project manager, Lars-Olof Carlsson.
Havator's big new crane, the CC/PC 6800 Terex Demag (the largest crane in Scandinavia) with a lifting capacity of 1,250 tons, fits the bill. Last Saturday, it lifted away the old railway bridge, which was replaced by a new one today (Monday). The lift was carried out from dry land above the water, with no environmental impact on the river whatsoever.
Beside the environmental advantages, the technical solution from Havator carries a smaller price tag.
Conventional techniques involving pile-driving, work bridge and bridge launching would have been vastly more time-consuming and would perhaps have affected the river environment through churning up sediment, etc. In addition, removing the work bridge would have repeated this environmental impact.
So what took place in Nyköping was something of a pioneering feat. At the end of June, Havator replaced four railway bridges in central Gothenburg. What was new in Nyköping was that the lift took place over water, but from dry land. The lift in Nyköping went well and Havator gained a good deal of experience for future lifts.
"We are pleased and looking to the future. Naturally, problems always arise during difficult lifts such as this, but we solved them. Right now I have a feeling that our technical solution for heavy bridge replacements will become the norm in future," says Lars-Olof Carlsson.
Havator also took care of transporting the old bridge away, on a multi-wheel trailer. This special construction can carry out extremely heavy transports, even in confined spaces, where the trailer shows its flexibility.
The contractor is the production division of the Swedish Road Administration, and the customer is the National Rail Administration.
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