A tower crane has been permitted to work over a live motorway/highway in the UK carrying out lifting duties on a central reservation as part of a major project. It has been installed on a travelling base alonside the motorway, and rigged with a 70 metre jib.
In the words of Mark Shattock, the lifting manager at Balfour Beatty Vinci HS2PSV
“This photo doesn’t look particularly remarkable in itself, but it’s unique in the UK. What it represents is years of meticulous planning, endless meetings and reassurance of the remarkable planning, management and supervision of this unique lifting operation. A tower crane set up on the edge of the M6, allowed to carry out lifting operations in the central reservation, on a live motorway.”
“Praise goes to the team that made this happen and Highways England for having the faith to allow it.”
There is not much we can really add to this apart to say thank you to Mark Shattock for sharing the photo and the information.
MichaelHardt
Sad that the travelers and their family members who will be driving under these loads were not involved in the “years of planning” and are not fully aware of what could go wrong and if it does this will be very bad. As someone else mentioned, if this was an AT set up with “years of planning” and people were allowed to walk and drive under loads all throughout the day, the crew would be crucified.
Harry Sharp
“… years of meticulous planning…”. Seriously? Whilst I appreciate this would take much careful planning, this is a good example that the UK is being strangled by bureaucratic nonsense. And also why HS2 is costing so much more than ever anticipated.
Red
Hoisting live loads over passerbys is never a good idea, let alone an active freeway/motorway. If I set my crane up next to a sidewalk and allowed people to walk under live loads I would be villified to no end, no matter how much prep and planning I undertook.
MichaelHardt
Sad that the travelers and their family members who will be driving under these loads were not involved in the “years of planning” and are not fully aware of what could go wrong and if it does this will be very bad. As someone else mentioned, if this was an AT set up with “years of planning” and people were allowed to walk and drive under loads all throughout the day, the crew would be crucified.
Niberdoc
This is serious, all the planning in the world and a mechanical fault with the crane could kill. Fair play to the operator and banksman
Harry Sharp
“… years of meticulous planning…”. Seriously? Whilst I appreciate this would take much careful planning, this is a good example that the UK is being strangled by bureaucratic nonsense. And also why HS2 is costing so much more than ever anticipated.
Red
Hoisting live loads over passerbys is never a good idea, let alone an active freeway/motorway. If I set my crane up next to a sidewalk and allowed people to walk under live loads I would be villified to no end, no matter how much prep and planning I undertook.
Eric_L
Most people won't even notice anything special, only those in the industry will get it.