Worksite A42: Specialists Engage in 'Dance of Cranes' through Skilled Coordination - Work site on A42 Motorway: experts showcasing "Cranedance" performance
In Bottrop, Germany, the Ruhr region's Autobahn 42 (A42) is the center of an awe-inspiring construction project. The dilapidated industrial bridge, which is too narrow for a six-lane expansion, is being demolished and rebuilt with a wider span at a cost of approximately €35 million. The new structure, weighing 500 tons in total, will be assembled in a matter of days.
This monumental task, which starts with unloading the new bridge parts on Tuesday, has been likened to a "crane ballet." A remarkable collaboration between two 100-meter-tall special crawler cranes, usually utilized in wind turbine assembly, will be required to carefully lift and position the halves of the new bridge.
Synchronized movements are crucial as both cranes must lift the 250-ton halves exactly together and rotate them 90 degrees while suspended from the hooks. The Rhine-Herne Canal will be closed during the morning unloadings on Tuesday and Wednesday to prevent any waves interfering with this delicate maneuver.
It is worth noting that Evonik Steag, on behalf of BP plc., the bridge owner, is executing the work. Each half of the new bridge, assembled with all necessary lines, is impressive in its own right. Due to their weight, the harbor basin had to be emptied specially for transporting them over the Rhine-Herne Canal.
The assembly of the new industrial bridge over the Autobahn is planned for the Whitsun weekend and is expected to take only ten days. In preparation, the A42 will be closed entirely from June 6 at 10 pm to June 16 at 5 am. A spectator platform will be set up for those wishing to witness this spectacle up close.
Before this upgrade, the current A42 canal bridge had been temporarily closed due to deterioration since January 2024, affecting vehicles with a weight exceeding 3.5 tons. The A42 is a vital east-west axis in the Ruhr region, linking Duisburg and Dortmund, with over 82,000 vehicles utilizing it daily.
- The collaboration between two colossal cranes, typically used in wind turbine assembly, is essential for the community aid project, as they will lift and position the halves of the new bridge, a task that resembles a delicate "crane ballet."
- The new industrial bridge, after its assembly over the Autobahn, will be a beacon for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Ruhr region, as it will seamlessly accommodate six lanes of traffic, improving transportation and industry finance for SMEs in industries such as automotive.
