Work on A42's Construction Site: Specialists Carry Out 'Cranedance' Routine - Crane Dancers on Giant Construction Site A42: Skilled Workers Engage in Captivating Dance Routine
In the Ruhr region of Germany, a substantial construction project is underway on motorway 42 near Bottrop. The undertaking aims to widen the motorway from four to six lanes, necessitating the demolition and rebuilding of an industrially used bridge with a greater span to accommodate the expanded space. The estimated cost for this venture is approximately €35 million, and the unloading of the new bridge components is set to begin on Tuesday.
Autobahn Westfalen has not yet determined the timeline for the motorway bridge's actual expansion. However, according to a spokesperson, the new industrial bridge consists of two halves, each weighing 250 tons and fully assembled with all necessary lines. These components are being carried out by Evonik on behalf of the bridge owner, BP.
To transport the bridge halves across the Rhine-Herne Canal, the harbor basin had to be emptied due to the heavy weight. Two massive, almost 100-meter-high crawler cranes, normally employed in the construction of wind farms, are required for the unloading of each bridge half from the ship. On Tuesday and Wednesday, each half will be unloaded in the morning, with the Rhine-Herne Canal being closed to prevent any wave movements disturbing the delicate operation. On Monday, crane operators will rehearse the unloading process in a test run without the weight.
The assembly of the new industrial bridge is scheduled to take place over the Whitsun weekend in just ten days. During this period, parts will also be swung over the motorway, leading to a complete closure of the A42 from June 6th at 10:00 PM until June 16th at 5:00 AM. A viewing platform will be established for spectators.
At the start of 2024, the existing A42 canal bridge for road traffic was temporarily closed due to deterioration, affecting vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tons, with a barrier segregating traffic. As one of the significant east-west axes in the Ruhr region linking Duisburg and Dortmund, the A42 sees about 82,000 vehicles daily.
This construction project, where multiple cranes coordinate their movements, is fondly referred to as a "Crane Ballet." This term highlights the precision and choreography involved in managing several large cranes synchronously to optimize workflow and safety during the construction process. While this large-scale motorway expansion project's timeline extends over multiple years, the current crane operations suggest that the project is actively progressing with significant strides.
Community aid for the small and medium-sized enterprises in the Ruhr region, reliant on smooth transportation, is crucial as a substantial motorway expansion project is underway. This project involves widening a motorway bridge, necessitating the use of heavy machinery and industry-grade equipment like the massive crawler cranes usually employed in the construction of wind farms. These cranes, part of the "Crane Ballet," are coordinating their movements to optimize workflow and safety during this large-scale motorway expansion project, demonstrating the significant strides being made.
