Sarens has completed the installation of a 270-tonne railway truss bridge in Pepinster, Belgium, helping restore the Louheau railway line despite significant last-minute changes to the project.
The project involved lifting and installing a new 40-metre-long truss bridge, four 140-tonne bridge abutments and two 142-tonne concrete sections that connect the bridge to the mainland.
For the lifts, Sarens deployed its SL 3800 crawler crane with a 60-metre main boom in an SSL_1 configuration. To improve efficiency, the company built a 90-metre-long track, allowing the crane to move between the assembly area, where the bridge components were stored, and the installation site beside the river.
The project presented unexpected challenges when several heavy bridge components arrived by rail instead of road, requiring Sarens to redesign its lifting approach and site setup.
The company worked with the client to adjust the project schedule, extending the work program and introducing both day and night shifts to complete the planned lifts.
Despite the changes, Sarens completed the installation while also meeting its commitment to move the crawler crane to its next project within a short timeframe.
The company said the project highlighted its ability to adapt to changing site conditions while delivering complex bridge installations on tight schedules.
With the bridge now in place, the installation has helped restore the railway line, allowing the client to complete the project in what Sarens described as record time.
