Mammoet completes Heavy Lift of New Wear Footbridge in Sunderland
The completion of the New Wear Footbridge aims to enhance local transport links and support community engagement with the city’s key sporting venue
Mammoet has completed the heavy lift and transport of all four steel sections of the New Wear Footbridge, an infrastructure project aimed at enhancing connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists between Sunderland city center and the Stadium of Light, home to Sunderland AFC.
The 250m bridge was fabricated by Victor Buyck Steel Construction in Ghent, Belgium, and weighs 1,150t and consists of four sections. Mammoet’s team was appointed to navigate the challenges of heavy lifting in a busy urban environment by minimising the number of modules required.
To facilitate the transportation of the bridge sections, Mammoet partnered with marine heavy-lift firm HEBO, organising two shipments spaced a month apart. This just-in-time approach allowed the team to install the first two sections before the arrival of the latter two, ensuring a smooth workflow, said a statement from Mammoet.
The installation began on the north side of the river, where the first two sections were lifted from a barge using an LR 11350 crawler crane and placed onto concrete plinths. The crane was then relocated to the south side for the installation of the remaining sections, including the final and largest piece, which required the use of strand jacks due to its weight.
Richard Gatenby, Project Manager at Mammoet stated, “Our careful planning and coordination were crucial to overcoming challenges related to site space and scheduling. This project showcases how early involvement can help address various heavy-lift challenges, even in limited spaces.”
The completion of the New Wear Footbridge in Riverside Sunderland’s development is to enhance local transport links and support community engagement with the city’s key sporting venue.
