May 16 - ALE has jacked-up, loaded-out, transported and installed two bridge sections, weighing 345 tonnes each, for the Albert Canal in Belgium.
The bridge section was transported from the fabrication yard in Balen to the construction yard at the Albert Canal using 24 axle lines of self-propelled modular transporters (SPMT) and a barge.
During the load-out at the fabrication yard, the 66 m x 15 m barge was positioned parallel to the load-out quay. Eight 12 m ro-ro ramps were utilised to create a sufficient area to make the 90 degree turn with the bridge while driving onto the barge. The bridge section was then was jacked-down 1.8 m using four 150-tonne climbing jacks, in order to pass under the low, existing bridges.
At the construction yard, the bridge section was jacked up to approximately 2.5 m to achieve the required assembly height and slope.
The SPMTs, barge and tug returned to Balen to prepare for the transportation of the second bridge section, where the same method and techniques were deployed.
In a separate project, ALE installed the first of 24 bridge structures for the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing project in Queensland, Australia.
The bridge girders, weighing up to 90 tonnes each, were transported to the installation position using hydraulic trailers with bolsters. Once in position, installation was carried out using a Liebherr LR 1280 crawler crane.
The 41 km crossing, when completed, will provide an alternative route for all classes of heavy and super-heavy vehicles to improve freight efficiency and relieve pressure on Toowoomba's roads.
In the UK, ALE performed the replacement of the Nether Lane railway bridge in Ecclesfield, Sheffield.
ALE removed the old bridge, which weighed 43 tonnes, and installed the new 181-tonne bridge, utilising 16 axle lines of SPMTs. ALE supplied a low-level trestle on which the new bridge was erected. The bridge was then jacked-up to installation height.
The bridge replacement works in Sheffield were carried out concurrently with the replacement of the Stead Lane railway bridge in Barnsley, UK.
The removal and installation process was completed utilising 12 axle lines of SPMT. The existing bridge weighed 43 tonnes, whilst the replacement bridge weighed 153 tonnes.
The existing bridge was jacked-down using ALE's integrated jacking system, ready for demolition.
