Sarens has completed the installation of a new railway bridge in Pepinster, Belgium, helping restore the Louheau railway line through a complex lifting operation that showcased the company’s expertise in bridge construction and heavy lifting.
The project involved the installation of a 270 tonne truss bridge measuring 40 metres in length, together with four 140 tonne abutments and two 142 tonne concrete sections connecting the bridge to the mainland.
To carry out the operation, Sarens deployed its SL 3800 crawler crane equipped with a 60 metre main boom in SSL_1 configuration. A 90 metre temporary track was constructed to enable efficient movement of the crane between the assembly area and the riverside installation site.
The project presented several challenges, including unexpected changes to the delivery plan. Heavy bridge components originally scheduled to arrive by road were instead transported by rail, requiring the Sarens team to redesign parts of the lifting strategy and adapt to a completely different site setup.
Working closely with the client, Sarens revised the project schedule and expanded operations to include both day and night shifts, ensuring all planned lifts could be completed safely and efficiently.
Despite the unforeseen changes, the team successfully delivered the bridge installation while maintaining commitments to subsequent projects, transferring the crane to its next assignment within a short timeframe.
The successful completion of the project restores a key section of railway infrastructure in the region and highlights Sarens’ ability to respond quickly to changing site conditions while delivering complex engineering solutions.
The operation further strengthens Sarens’ long standing reputation for executing challenging bridge installations worldwide, combining technical expertise, flexibility and innovative problem solving to meet demanding project requirements.
