Crane with 900 tonnes capacity on way to Waterford

A large 900 tonne capacity floating sheerleg crane will arrive in Waterford from Belgium to complete the lifting and installation of the deck sections of the new Sustainable Transport Bridge that is currently under construction over the river Suir.

In his monthly report to the members of Waterford City and County Council, Chief Executive of the local authority, Sean McKeown, said the fabrication of the steel bridge deck superstructure is now complete with the mechanical and electrical components currently being installed in Belgium.

"This process also involves global supply chains for the precision engineering of mechanical components that will control the lifting and closing of the opening spans of the bridge," said Mr McKeown in his report.

He also said the temporary bridge supports being installed in the water will assist with the installation of the bridge deck. 

"The transportation of the individual fabricated deck sections to Waterford is itself a significant engineering and logistical challenge," said Mr McKeown in his report.

The separate deck sections will weigh up to 300 tonnes - around the same weight as a Boeing 747. 

"These will be lifted by self-propelled platform trucks onto sea barges which will then be towed by canal from Ghent out to the North Sea for onward transportation to Waterford," said Mr McKeown. 

The route to Waterford will be via the North Sea, English Channel and Celtic Sea and according to Mr McKeown, following assessment of the risk of strong winter storms, the fully fitted out decks sections will be transported to Waterford next Spring for installation on site.

"This scheduling will not impact on the completion of the overall works programme," he said.

He also noted in his report that the large deck sections and floating crane on the River Suir, along with the installation on site, in the Spring will "be a spectacular milestone for the project and the city".