3 May 2016, 08:05
ALE’s UK team has successfully completed three bridge moves over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, from 25th – 28th March.
ALE successfully installed a new rail underbridge (BEJ/11B, B002), weighing 1,950t, as part of the A6 Manchester Airport Relief Road (MARR) scheme in Stockport. ALE used 64 axle lines of SPMT in a 2 x 4 file 16 configuration with additional steelwork packing to support the main girders in four locations during the move. ALE completed the bridge installation works in approximately three and a half hours.
During the same weekend ALE also installed the new span 19 deck, which forms part of an existing viaduct DSE/146 in Manchester, UK. The works are part of the Ordsall Chord Project, which will improve rail travel between Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly Stations. The new bridge weighed 700t and was installed using 30 axle lines of SPMT in a 6 file 10 configuration.
Finally, ALE carried out the removal and installation of overbridge MR88 in Rickmansworth North West London. The existing bridge weighed approximately 80t and was removed utilising 16 axle lines of SPMT in a 4 file 8 configuration. The new bridge weighed approximately 150t and was installed using the same SPMT configuration.
There were several major challenges that ALE needed to overcome to ensure that the scheme was a success,” Sam Ellwood, Assistant Project Engineer, explains. “Due to space restrictions in the site compound, we had to rig the SPMTs during planned night time road closures prior to the possession and de-rig the SPMTs during the planned night time road closures during the possession. Another challenge we overcame was moving the old bridge into the site compound up a steep ramp, and within a one hour window, due to traffic management restrictions.
“Communication is the key to ensure projects like these are successfully completed and one of the key elements for the project was agreeing the ground levels. Through effective communication between the client prior to the Easter possessions, that ensured the works went smoothly and to schedule,” said Project Engineer Zoe Meynell.
“Completing three bridge possessions concurrently marks a fantastic achievement for ALE.”