Universal Cranes was recently contracted to complete the installation of a range of over 200 Super T Beams on the $700 million Northern Corridor Improvements project.
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Working for the Fulton Hogan, New Zealand Transport Agency, HEB Construction, Opus and Jacobs joint venture to deliver the project, the company was tasked with supplying the cranage to the project – also known as the Auckland Northern Corridor project. The infrastructure project aims to improve transportation links in the North Shore and provide an alternative to travelling on State Highway One through the central city by constructing a new motorway link between the Northern Motorway and the Upper Harbour Highway, new lanes on the Northern Motorway and an extension of the existing Northern Busway from Constellation Bus Station through to Albany Bus Station.
Universal Cranes mobilised its entire fleet based in Auckland to complete the work ahead of it, utilising its 450-tonne capacity Grove GMK7450 right through to its 12-tonne capacity Tadano GR 120. To meet the requirements outlined by the Fulton Hogan-led alliance, Universal Cranes lifted the 200 Super T Beams that ranged in capacity from 50 tonnes through to 90 tonnes in weight.
A particular highlight of Universal Cranes’ work on the Highgate Bridge involved the lifting of four 44-tonne steel girders. Measuring in at 40m-long, the steel girders were lifted into place and bolted together to form part of the new 97m long, three span bridge over Auckland’s Northern Motorway.
The night-time installation of the main girders made full use of Universal Cranes’ 450-tonne mobile GMK7450, ultimately requiring a full road closure of State Highway 1.
The steel superstructure of the two-lane motorway overpass was also installed as a stick build – meaning it was assembled in the air – and connected together with 5300 bolts. The new bridge that was installed by the Australasian crane hire company and built by HEB Construction will link John Fair Drive in Milldale to Highgate Business Park and Silverdale.
Both projects reflect Universal Cranes’ capacity complete any lift, anywhere, any time.
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