The 3.4km Colne Valley Viaduct is being built by UK construction and civil engineering company Sir Robert McAlpine as part of the new HS2 rail line infrastructure project. Once complete the viaduct will be the longest rail bridge in the UK.
To help build the bridge Sir Robert McAlpine is using 11 Potain MR 225 A luffing jib cranes. Each of the cranes will be configured with a 50 m jib, enabling them to lift up to 3.25 t at their jib end, while up to 10 t can be handled out to 25 m. All cranes will work with the same configuration, erected on reusable fixing angles, with a 17.5 m height to the jib foot.
The first MR 225 A was erected in June 2022 and the last one will be dismantled in March 2024. The cranes will work ten hours a day for five days a week, lifting concrete formwork and precast sections.
“Sir Robert McAlpine and Potain have a longstanding relationship that continues to improve through collaboration and innovation,” said Steve Wright, commercial plant manager at Sir Robert McAlpine. “Our expectations are met with full commitment from both teams to ensure we achieve our aims and objectives to the highest standards.”
