As part of this project, it was necessary to dismantle the structure of the two old bridges, which had reached the end of their useful life, as a preliminary step to the installation of the two new structures, weighing 550 tons each.
To carry out the complete dismantling of the old bridges and the installation of the new road infrastructure, it was necessary to close circulation on one of Chambéry's busiest roads, having previously diverted traffic to minimize the impact of the works on the surrounding area as much as possible.
Sarens was responsible for transporting the new bridge structures from their assembly site, one kilometer from their final destination, as well as the transport maneuvers of the old structures, using four sets of 24-axle line SPMTs (96 axle lines in total).
The renovation and installation work on two new road infrastructures on the A41 motorway in Chambéry (France) will have a significant impact on more than 50,000 vehicles daily, which will now travel on safer and more durable bridges. This project is part of a global strategy undertaken in the area to relieve traffic congestion on a road axis where traffic from routes such as the A43/A41 motorway and the Voie Rapide Urbaine (RN201) converge.
As part of this project, it was necessary to dismantle the two existing bridges, which had reached the end of their useful life, to be replaced by two new, more modern, lighter, and safer units, allowing for extended utilization. To achieve this, Sarens, world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport and crane rental services, carried out meticulous planning to make the most of the road closure period, scheduled for two days, and thus minimize the impact of the works on surrounding traffic.
Sarens mobilized four sets of 24-axle line SPMTs (Self-Propelled Modular Trailers) (96 lines in total) to the work site, as well as tailored steel support structures. Two of the SPMT sets were dedicated to the dismantling tasks of the existing bridge structures, while the remaining two were dedicated to the transport and installation of the new infrastructures.
The ABC Method (Accelerated Bridge Construction) was used to carry out this work, which in this case involved the preliminary assembly of the bridge structures at a location approximately one kilometer from the installation point. This entailed an additional coordination effort to transport these structures to the motorway, crossing nearby roads and a car park. The SPMTs dedicated to the dismantling of the existing bridges followed the same route as those carrying the new bridges just before the traffic closure. Once the area was conveniently closed and secured, the old bridges were dismantled, and the new ones were positioned, followed by the transport of the outgoing units to the initial yard.
Each of the dismantled bridges weighed 615 tons, while the installed structures weighed 550 tons each. The size and weight of these units, along with the need to move them under conditions of maximum safety in an environment with minimal clearance and the requirement to complete all maneuvers during the two days of traffic closure, posed a significant challenge for the Sarens team.
According to Tom Jonckers, Project Manager at Sarens, “Once again, our team has demonstrated high technical and professional qualification and great commitment to meeting the established completion deadlines. Furthermore, the coordination effort carried out has been very important to ensure that the project proceeded with complete safety and punctuality, but also with a minimal impact on the area near the installation”.
Over the past few years, Sarens has established itself as a strategic player in the construction, installation, and renovation of bridges around the world. Recently, the company has completed several major projects, such as the installation of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge as part of the redesign of Place Sainctelette (Brussels), the century-old Colbert Bridge in Dieppe (France), and the 5,850-ton OA14 bridge in Bettembourg (Luxembourg). Sarens has also installed a new pedestrian bridge between the Hazebrouck (France) railway station and its parking lot, as well as an 8,400-ton railway bridge on the A1 freeway in Amsterdam (Netherlands).
About Sarens
Sarens is the global leader and reference in crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services. With state-of-the-art equipment, value engineering, one of the world's largest inventories of cranes, transporters and special rigging equipment, Sarens offers creative and intelligent solutions to today's heavy lifting and engineering transport challenges.
With more than 100 entities in 66 countries operating without borders, Sarens is an ideal partner for small to large-scale projects. Sarens currently employs 5,000 highly qualified professionals who are ready to serve the needs of any client worldwide and in all market sectors. https://www.sarens.com/