Designing an innovative and bespoke engineering solution
Allelys successfully completed the lift, transport and installation of a 600te, 42m long railway bridge at Castleton Junction.
Engineering the lift
A Collaborative Approach
The reduction in working at height was substantial. Unlike jacking systems, which typically require deck assembly at greater heights, we enabled construction at just 2m. The gantries were contained within a segregated area to enable us to work in tandem with our clients’ other operations including deck waterproofing which would have otherwise been required to be completed prior to the lifting operations. This collaborative approach improved programme efficiency (and ultimately reduced costs) without compromising safety.
Integrated Lifting and Transport
Further risk mitigation was achieved through the integration of the under-beams into the transport system. Once the deck was lifted, the twin under beams were integrated into the supports for the proceeding transport operation. Everything was contained, which saved time and meant that we could land the deck to the SPMTs and then lower off to position the beams in the centre. This eliminated the need to remove them after the lifting operation, reducing manual handling requirements, improving working time and enhancing safety during the load transfer.
Forty axle lines of Goldhofer SPMTs were utilised, specifically selected for their wider base which enhanced the stability triangle, to transport the deck from the compound to installation site.
The bridge transportation and installation were completed in just seven hours during a single nighttime railway / road possession. This achievement was only possible due to our commitment to detailed planning, coordination and efficient engineering design.
Through early involvement, collaboration and innovative use of existing equipment, we delivered significant value for our client in cost, time savings, safety and expertise. We believe the project set a new benchmark for bridge delivery operations, demonstrating how forward-thinking engineering can achieve superior outcomes.
