Ainscough Crane Hire uses telescopic Liebherr to build superstructure bridge

MYCRANE

07.10.2021



Ainscough Crane Hire has completed the upgrading of a railway bridge in Crumlin, Wales.

The £5m project saw the removal of the existing bridge above the River Ebbw, and the installation of a new superstructure. AmcoGiffen was tasked with the design and build of the new bridge and appointed Ainscough Crane Hire to carry out all lifting duties on the project. 

Ainscough deployed a 750t Liebherr LTM 1750-9.1 telescopic crane using Variobase to deliver the main lift. The lifting had to be undertaken close to the river whilst maintaining operational use of the nearby A467 main road. 

The solution was to create an earth retained crane platform that could offer structural support for the crane whilst displacing the load away from the existing retaining wall for the River Ebbw.

Ainscough coordinated all the lifting operations to remove the four steel-plate arch girders and dismantle the steel decking. The team fitted 26 new pre-cast cill beams to reconstruct the sub-structure and were then able to install the new steel bridge of four plate girders and steel decking.

The structure was demolished and reconstructed in a total of 68 individual lifts following ‘just in time’ construction methodology tailored around the site layout and limitations. 

The entire operation took place over eighteen twelve-hour shifts, and the efficiencies generated by early engagement and advance planning meant the work was completed ahead of schedule. Ivan Ellis, major projects manager at Ainscough Crane Hire, said: “Our work at Crumlin Road is a valuable demonstration of the importance of clients bringing in a crane hire team during the early stages of project planning.  

“The fact that we were fully integrated with AmcoGiffen and the wider supply chain meant we were able to maximise efficiencies and enhance safety, resulting in the project being completed ahead of time.”



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