Removing 2 Pipe bridges across the Moselle at Richemont

Date: May 2011

Equipment used: 2 barges, 8 strand jacks each of 500 tons.

Specifications:  the first bridge had a length of 170m and weighed 800 tons; the second bridge was   140m long and weighed 600 tons. Both bridges were at a height of 12 metres above the Moselle.

Special circumstances: working above the Moselle river according to a strict plan for completing the work in 10 days due to restrictions on stopping shipping

The power station in Richemont used to be fed with blast furnace gas from the blast furnace 10 km further up river through gas pipes that crossed the Moselle over two pipe bridges. After both installations were taken out of service the double gas pipe was superfluous and had to be removed.   

The two pipe bridges over the Moselle had to be removed within a given time span and following strict environmental requirements. All the necessary equipment was transported from the Netherlands by water. A major part of the installations to be used to lift and move the bridges was already assembled in the Netherlands. This meant that on arrival at Richemont it was possible to begin work on lifting the first bridge almost immediately, after which it could be removed and taken for scrapping. 

Due to making the right preparations and the good teamwork from both the day and night teams the project was completed within the 10 days allowed and the Moselle could be opened for shipping again.

The customer was very pleased with our manner of working, in particular in the fields of safety, care for the environment and how practical problems that might arise during the project had been anticipated.   

Made by MirabelleTv / 08-06-2011 / www.mirabelle.tv