When a crew wagon got stuck in the support wire during maintenance work on the Bømla Bridge in Sunnhordaland, Nordic Crane was contacted to rescue the wagon quickly and effectively. However, the task was complex due to several factors, but with good cooperation across departments, we overcame the challenges.

The Bømla Bridge is a suspension bridge measuring 988 meters, with a free span of 577 meters and a tower height of 105 meters. Suspension bridges along the coast are exposed to damage due to moisture and saltwater. Weather, wind, salt spray, and temperature changes quickly lead to rust and other wear problems on the bridges. To prevent this, crew wagons are attached to the wires, where they install dehumidifiers, among other things.

When one of these wagons got stuck during maintenance work, Nordic Crane was assigned the task of safely bringing it down to the ground again.

– It may sound like a simple job, but a number of factors play into a task like this, explains Jarle Søvik, Operations Manager at Nordic Crane, Haugesund Department.

– The bridge is the only way in and out of Bømlo, and although preparations and setup take time, the actual lifting window was relatively short. To minimize traffic impact, we chose to carry out the task on Sunday night between 2:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

Traffic was not the only challenge. The bridge is narrow, the area is exposed to harsh weather, and there are strict tolerances for this type of construction.

– At Nordic Crane, we are fortunate to have departments that work closely together. Engineering, in particular, helped us a lot this time. Together with the customer, we came up with a solution that met all requirements.

After thorough preparations, including laying gravel as a base for support legs, measuring points, and placing timber mats, one of our 250-tonners, a Grove GMK5250XL-1, was finally able to lift down the 16-ton wagon.

Effective planning and excellent execution by our fantastic employees ensured that traffic on the bridge was up and running again in no time!

Project information

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