The work is being carried out as part of a wider programme of infrastructure improvements in the area, which will see Blackpool’s ten bridges renovated and upgraded to future-proof them for road traffic.
Ainscough’s work on the bridge follows on from a £255m pound investment by Network Rail to electrify the 17mi rail route between Preston and Blackpool.
In order to raise the bridge, a team from Ainscough’s heavy cranes division had to remove a series of beams from the east and west side of the abutments. The existing sills were demolished using breakers – powerful percussion hammers fitted to excavators. The task was made more challenging due to unexpected metal supports in the reinforced concrete.
Ainscough operators were able to lift the spans, which weighed up to 50t each, using a 1,000t Liebherr LTM11000 D, a 550t Liebherr LG1550 and a 500t Liebherr LTM1500-8.1.
The spans were loaded onto transport vehicles for removal, and new sections of the bridge were installed in their place.
Reinstatement of the main bridge is due to be completed in time for the Easter holidays 2017.
