Potain cranes for HS2 rail bridge

UK-based civil engineering company Sir Robert McAlpine, one of three infrastructure companies in the Align joint-venture, will supply 11 Potain MR 225 A luffing jib cranes for the HS2 rail project.

The first crane was erected in June 2022 and the last one will be dismantled in March 2024. (Photo: Manitwoc)

The cranes will help construct the longest railway bridge in the UK.

The first four Potain MR 225 A luffing jib cranes are already working on construction of the Colne Valley Viaduct, which will form part of the rail line assigned to the Align JV.

Once complete, the Colne Valley Viaduct, which sits on the outskirts of London, will measure 3.4 kilometres.

Each of the 11 Potain MR 225 A luffing jib cranes the company is using on the project will be configured with a 50 m jib, enabling them to lift up to 3.25 t at its jib end, while up to 10 t can be handled out to 25 m. All cranes will work with the same configuration, erected on reusable fixing angles, with a 17.5 m height to the jib foot.

The first MR 225 A was erected in June 2022 and the last one will be dismantled in March 2024. The cranes will work 10 hours a day for five days a week, lifting concrete formwork and precast sections.

Although configured with 50 metre jibs for the Colne Valley Viaduct project, the Potain MR 225 A luffing jib crane can work with up to 55 metres of jib when needed. It has a maximum capacity of 14 tonnes and can lift up to 2.15 tonnes at its full 55 metre jib end.

Project partners

Sir Robert McAlpine’s fleet comprises of 55 cranes.

The Align joint venture comprises Bouygues Travaux Publics and VolkerFitzpatrick as well as Sir Robert McAlpine.