Demolition contractor Keltbray has completed the removal of a 500-tonne pedestrian bridge for Balfour Beatty as part of the transformation of London’s Olympic Park, according to The Construction Index.
With five main girder trusses, some weighing over 75 tonnes, it is the largest single lifting operation Keltbray has undertaken, employing a 550-tonne capacity lattice-boom Liebherr LG 1550 truck crane.
The bridge, which was more than 70m long and 30m wide, was designed by Tony Gee & Partners and constructed by Balfour Beatty to provide primary access for spectators coming from Stratford.
Project manager Gavin Lawless said: “The project had a number of complex issues including stringent safety and environmental controls working adjacent to the waterways, but the bridge was removed ahead of programme and without any major incident.”
He added: “We looked at the possibility of removing the bridge for reuse elsewhere as a complete unit, but were unable to find a suitable location. The materials are being recycled for other projects.”
Lifting operations manager Steve Leyton, added: “We hope with this new in-house expertise, we can reduce our craneage costs and become more competitive in securing future works of this kind.”