Mammoet Swiftly Sets Pedestrian Bridge in Colorado

The 76m bridge was set into place using Mega Jacks and SPMTs.(image)

Bridge move completed ahead of schedule with minimal disruption to railroad
Mammoet’s team was recently contracted by Kiewit Infrastructure to move and install a pedestrian bridge weighing approximately 550t (1.1 million lbs.) as part of a revitalization effort in downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado. The installation of the bridge required crossing eleven railroad tracks, so precise planning was crucial to ensure minimal outage time. 

Mammoet has extensive experience in setting bridges around the globe, including three bridges for The Villages community in Florida and the recent installation of a pedestrian bridge at Seattle-Tacoma airport. All of this expertise was needed to meet the project’s strict time requirements: railroad authorities gave an eight-hour work window to complete the entire installation of the bridge. 

The 76m bridge was set into place using Mega Jacks and SPMTs.

Prior to Mammoet’s arrival, the 76m (250 ft.) prefabricated bridge was assembled, welded together, and given a concrete walking surface. Once on site, Mammoet crews used eight 500-ton Mega Jacks to hoist the bridge close to seven meters (22 ft.) in the air to allow for the installation of SPMTs for transport.

The use of these jacks allowed the team to keep the bridge’s center of gravity low while traversing the tracks. A combination of wooden and steel mats was used to safely cross the railroad tracks and ensure there was no load bearing directly on them – as this could potentially damage the highly trafficked tracks. 

Once the transportation phase of the project was completed, the bridge was jacked-down into its final installation location. Mammoet’s team had risen to the challenge, and was able to cross the tracks, install the bridge and remove the 64 axle-lines of SPMT in just under five hours, allowing the railway to begin operations again ahead of schedule. 

The bridge is slated to open in early 2021 and will connect the America the Beautiful Park to southwest downtown, which includes the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum and Hall of Fame as its centerpiece.

The bridge was set on SPMTs and driven to its final installation location.

 
Mammoet
Mammoet helps clients with Smarter, Safer and Stronger solutions to any heavy lifting or transport challenge. We aim to develop long term relationships in order to understand their businesses and challenges best, so we can realize the most efficient and cost-effective approaches. We have a unique global network and an unparalleled fleet of equipment. Through deep and longstanding engineering expertise and the highest quality and safety standards in execution we bring an intelligent and flexible approach to projects across a wide breadth of industry sectors. Clients trust us to help them achieve feats that were once considered impossible, and we have often broken records in doing so. For more information, visit www.mammoet.com.