The new 1,400 ton bridge moved 100 metres up the road – without a single crane | World | News

A huge 1,400-ton bridge has been moved almost 100 metres through the centre of Innsbruck, Austria without using a single crane. Austria’s state-owned railway operator, ÖBB, completed the operation at the end of last week as part of a major upgrade to the city’s rail network.

The new Rauchmühle bridge had been built close to its final location to keep disruption to a minimum. Once ready, engineers began lifting the structure more than five metres off the ground using hydraulic presses. That step had to be done slowly to keep the bridge stable.

On Sunday morning, the main move began. Instead of cranes, ÖBB used self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs), which are heavy-duty platforms normally seen in industrial sites. 

In total, 12 units were used, carrying 56 axles and 112 wheels. They moved at around 1-2 km/h, giving precise control as the bridge rolled into position over Hallerstraße.

The structure was also turned roughly 90 degrees before being lowered onto its new supports. 

Engineers said the method was safer and more accurate than lifting the bridge with cranes, especially in a dense urban area.

Work on the project is still underway. Over the next few days teams will install bearings, finish the supports, fit railway equipment and prepare the line for reopening.

Rail services between Rum and Innsbruck Central Station remain suspended until January 29, with replacement buses operating instead.

The new bridge replaces a metal structure that had been in service for more than 60 years.

Around 270 trains crossed it every day, and a combination of heavy use and harsh Alpine weather meant it had reached the end of its technical life. 

The replacement is made from concrete, offers a longer lifespan, reduces noise and should provide a smoother ride for passengers.

ÖBB released several figures showing the scale of the operation:

• 1,400 tons – weight of the bridge and support structures
• 5.13 metres –  height it was lifted before the move
• 12 SPMTs – carrying 56 axles and 112 wheels
• 29 metres – the span of the new bridge
• 11.25 metres – total width
• 100 metres – length of track dismantled and reinstalled

Engineers described the relocation as one of the most complex moves carried out on an Austrian railway site in recent years. 

The bridge is expected to come into full use once the remaining work is completed later this month.