VIDEO: Mammoet moves bridge at UK airport

Mammoet used self propelled modular transporter (SPMT) to move a 196 tonne two storey link bridge at Terminal Two, Machester Airport, in the UK, as part of a £1.3 billion ($1.66 billion) programme to modernise the terminal.

The bridge will connect the existing terminal building to a new pier under construction, which will offer extra aircraft gates, stands and seating.

More than 270 pieces of steel went into constructing the bridge, comprising metal decking and 150 mm thick concrete slab flooring.

The 27 metre long, 10 metre high bridge was pre-assembled on the airfield over the course of three months and then moved into its final place last week using SPMT, a process which took eight hours.

“We’re delighted to mark another major milestone in the delivery of the Transformation Programme. Installing this link bridge was a massive undertaking and it was incredible to watch such a huge piece of infrastructure carefully lifted into place, precise to the millimetre,” said a spokesperson for the project.

Airport upgrade

The Manchester Airport Transformation Programme (MAN-TP) is scheduled for completion next year, and will see the terminal double in capacity.

Companies working on the link bridge included Mace, which is overseeing the second phase of the MAN-TP project, and its supply chain partners, Martifer, Bethell, AMCO, LPL Construction Services and DGP.

David Hanmer, project director at Mace, said, “We have worked closely with the Manchester Airport team, design teams and contractors to ensure the move was delivered safely and to schedule. The window to move the bridge was very tight - to ensure the minimum amount of disruption to the airport and its passengers. As you would expect, it wasn’t an easy task, but everyone involved stepped up to the challenge.”

“Millions of passengers will soon be using this bridge every year as they leave the new-look departure lounge and head towards their gate, ready to board their aircraft and jet off on their journeys,” added Jill Fraser, MAN-TP programme delivery director. “In designing the new Terminal Two, we have put detailed thought into each and every element of the passenger journey to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience from start to finish, and we can’t wait to share it with our passengers next year.”