Construction dance on A42 highway: Work initiation occurs - Construction of Kranballett Initiates on A42 Highway
Construction work on the A42 motorway in the Ruhr region, near Bottrop, commenced this week in a spectacle aptly named the "Crane Ballet." A balancing act that involves two giant cranes is underway to expand the six-lane highway, necessitating the demolition and rebuilding of an industrial bridge with an extended span.
The operation began with the unloading of two 250-tonne parts for the new industrial bridge, which took place in the early morning hours. With a dance reminiscent of synchronized swimming, the cranes hoisted and maneuvered their respective bridge half components, precisely aligning them centimeter by centimeter. By midday, the first half should have been placed in its designated location, with the second half following on Wednesday.
For the safe execution of this delicate maneuver, the Rhein-Herne Canal was temporarily closed. The 35 million euro project, set to be completed in just ten days over Whitsun, necessitates a complete closure of the A42 from June 6 at 22:00 to June 16 at 05:00. A viewing platform will be established for spectators during this period.
The current A42 canal bridge for road traffic is in disrepair and had to be temporarily closed at the beginning of 2024. The closure targets vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, with a barrier dividing the traffic. The A42, one of the essential east-west axes in the Ruhr region between Duisburg and Dortmund, currently sees around 82,000 vehicles daily.
The project requires two almost 100-meter-high special crawler cranes, typically used for wind farm assembly, to unload the parts from the ship for each bridge half. Evonik Steag is carrying out the work on behalf of the bridge owner, BP. Though the exact timeline for the motorway bridge expansion remains undefined, a spokesperson for Autobahn Westfalen revealed no specific date has yet been set.
The employment policy of Autobahn Westfalen will need to accommodate the temporary workforce required for the A42 motorway bridge expansion project, as the operation involves two giant cranes typically used in the wind farm industry. The finance policy will also play a crucial role, as the 35 million euro project, expected to be completed over Whitsun, will likely impact various sectors of the economy, including the transportation industry, particularly the automotive sector, given the significant traffic volume on the A42 in the Ruhr region.
