Bellingen Shire Council’s Engineering and Operations Division has developed a gantry crane to enable convenient placement of prefabricated bridge deck units. This project took out the OHS category at the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia Excellence Awards 2000.
These awards recognise excellence in Local Government and public works engineering projects in NSW.
As well as improving the ease of operation, the gantry crane delivers conservation of resources, environmental protection and cost savings.
The Occupational Health and Safety features provide protection against avoidable injury and associated loss, constituting important additional community benefits.
Greater control in positioning and handling of deck units and the mechanical nature of the operation enhance the safety elements.
During the investigation for a number of proposed bridge replacement projects, Council was faced with the problem of installing prefabricated deck units at bridge sites which were restricted as far as access and positioning of cranes were concerned.
It was decided to develop a full span gantry.
The gantry can place deck units with access from one end of the bridge. This means there is no need to provide access for cranes or delivery vehicles alongside the bridge in often sensitive stream environments.
There is no need for jacking and skating of the deck unit as they can be lowered directly into their final position thus improving the safety of this operation.
For further information contact Ken Wilson, at Bellingen Shire Council, telephone (02) 6655 7301.
