Sarens is currently undertaking a project of iconic significance for the modernisation of the national rail network in France. As part of the project, first the two century-old rail bridges weighing 468 tonnes each – the Pont de Chartres for RER line B and Pont de Gallardon for RER line C – will be dismantled. Next, two new bridge sections will be installed. The two new bridges will allow the passage of faster and more efficient trains in two Paris lines that are used by a total of over 1.5 million people daily in the metropolitan area of Paris. The comfort of local residents will also be improved, with a reduction in traffic noise and vibrations.
The available area in between the busy road and the railway track was a challenge, along with the low ground bearing pressure. SGC-90, the fully electric and silent ring crane, was shortlisted to tackle these challenges and execute the project.
The SGC-90, also known as “Little Celeste”, reached the Port of Rouen from Indonesia and was then transported via road in 220 trucks to Massy in France. An AC100, LR1200, and CC2800 completed the assembly of the SGC-90 with 100m main boom configuration in eight weeks.
According to Sarens Senior Project Manager Dirk Vinck, “It was very challenging to assemble the crane in the limited area available. The ground was prepared with mats to adjust the ground bearing pressure.” He adds, “To maintain safety during the project, heavy tackle, weighing a total of 260T, was used to connect old and new bridges to the crane hook.”
Sarens worked on the first phase of the project involving the dismantling of the two old bridges this past July 2023. The SGC-90 lifted the two bridge sections and set them down on SPMTs. The SPMTs then drove the old bridge sections to the area where they were finally taken away for scrapping.
In the second phase, beginning August, the two new bridge sections will be lifted into position. The new bridges weigh 1375 tonnes (Chartres bridge) and 949T (Gallardon bridge) and are preassembled on the other side of the road. These bridge sections will be transported closer to the SGC-90 by SPMTs.
