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Flemish Waterways is facing the challenge of raising 62 bridges over the Albert Canal. Bridge builder Aelterman from Ghent called upon Boels Rental to provide a customised solution for transporting personnel and equipment to great heights on one of the arched bridges. Boels has installed two passenger/goods lifts for the Hoogmolen bridge in Schoten, near Antwerp.
Working at great heights
The Hoogmolen bridge is being raised from 7 metres to 9.10 metres. This means that work has to be done at great heights. People and materials need to be transported quickly to the highest work stations of the arch bridge. To this end, the specialist division Boels Site Preparation has installed two passenger/goods lifts. The lifts serve as a replacement for crane-based transport. Using lifts for transport is much faster and less costly.
Customised solution due to limited space
The limited space surrounding the Hoogmolenburg meant that installing the lifts would pose a particular challenge. For this project, the lift mast was specially anchored to the temporary support towers for the arches. In his role as Boels project manager, Guy de Jonge is serving as the contact person for this collaboration: “The exit deck on the work platform was custom-built by our installers using scaffolding materials. This makes it possible to exit safely and comfortably.” At the moment, the arch bridge is being constructed on the shore side. Once all of the components have been assembled, the arch bridge will be transported across the canal to the shore supports. “We had already developed a similar solution for the bridge in Beringen.”
Close collaboration as the answer to a challenging issue
Aelterman chose Boels because of the challenging issue it faced. Based on the basic principles and requests presented, Boels was able to develop, deliver and install a customised solution. Guy: “The client has also made use of the comprehensive offer from Boels. They are not only hiring the lifts, but also aerial work platforms, telehandlers, power generators as well as hand washing units and temporary sanitary facilities such as the Boels Bio Box, which we have supplied for this major project.”