The maintenance and remodelling of bridges is a key issue in the infrastructure plans of public authorities. There is a lot to do in this area and SPMT technology is taking on a core task. Autokrane Schares GmbH is carrying out one of these projects in the Ruhr region with 40 Cometto axle lines.
At the Duisburg Kaiserberg motorway junction, the self-propelled cranes are ready in an open combination with two 4-file combinations of 20 axles each. At this point, some challenging preparatory work has already been completed. ‘First of all, the 90 metre long and 450 tonne structure had to be lifted by around six metres by our Enerpac JS250 lifting system. This made it possible to transfer it to the Cometto SPMTs, which were 50 metres apart,’ says Eric Reichmann, authorised signatory at Autokrane Schares, describing the synchronised processes. ‘The fact that the two box girders have different assembly and installation heights proved to be particularly challenging. The bridge structure was also significantly curved in shape and had to be installed on a gradient.’
Precise work thanks to electronic steering
The unevenness of the terrain on the insertion level must be taken into account during planning. ‘That's why we work exclusively with the undercarriage hydraulics of our Cometto SPMT. Through the targeted use of laying vehicles for road plates, we adapt the terrain moderately in order to ultimately ensure optimum paving,’ says Eric Reichmann.
The electronic multi-way steering with a steering angle of +135/-135° makes Cometto's MSPE technology the ideal aid, even for such tricky tasks. The self-propelled vehicles can be manoeuvred with pinpoint accuracy and even such imposing structures can be retracted with the utmost precision. Joachim Kolb, Sales Manager at Cometto, names further project details that are given special attention. ‘The structure has a trapezoidal contour, which meant that a wide area had to be manoeuvred through a narrower one. A big compliment goes to the SPMT operators from Schares. They kept their cool at all times and mastered the task with their expertise.’
Motorway interface made fit for the future
Everything works according to plan, communication between the parties involved is exemplary during preparation and realisation. And the self-propelled Cometto modules once again mastered a project weighing several tonnes. The newly installed bridge structure forms the connecting ramp between the A40 and A3 motorways. This interface of the transport infrastructure in the Duisburg area can once again shoulder long-distance and local traffic in a future-proof manner.
Date of publication: 10/2024