Al Faris gallops into the future

The project, known locally as ‘The journey into the future’, will see seven new stations and 15km of track built, connecting the Nakheel Harbour & Tower station with the new Dubai 2020 Expo grounds.

Al Faris had been involved with the original construction of Dubai’s metro system. For this project, it was selected to load, transport, and lift the heaviest girders used in the construction of the extension.

The company chose to use anEnerpac SBL900 gantry system to lift the 426t pre-cast concrete girders. An alternative approach, using tandem cranes, was discounted due to space constraints and transport logistics.

The gantries were set up using a 100t Liebherr all terrain and a forklift. The girders were lifted by the gantries onto a Goldhofer 19 axle THP/SL multi axle trailer connected to a 680hp heavy duty prime mover. After transport to the job site, the girders were installed on the metro columns using a 650t Terex Demag CC 3800-1 in SSL2 configuration with 42m main boom.

“A project of this nature with multiple jobs requires detailed planning and optimized utilization of equipment for a successful execution which is all done in-house by our competent engineers and technicians,” says Kieve Pinto, Al Faris executive director.

Al Faris’s team of engineers, heavy lift managers and supervisors were all present on site to ensure a safe and optimum lift with great efficiency. The transportation and lifting activity took place at night in order to avoid busy road traffic and other obstacles.

Al Faris involvement in the project will continue with a contract to transport 250 metro wagons from Jebel Ali Port to the Metro.