High rolling bridge firm in £8m “mammoth” project
HIGH-LEVEL bridge maintenance firm Spencer Group has completed an 18-month, £8m “mammoth” project in Denmark.
In the largest ever retro-fit project to be undertaken worldwide, Spencer Group installed a cable dehumidification project on Denmark’s Great Belt crossing.
Work was carried out to the main cables on the East Bridge, the third largest suspension bridge in the world (two Japanese bridges take second and first place, and already had dehumidification technology pre-installed)
31,000 vehicles a day pass over the bridge, and its towers reach 254 metres, 100 metres higher than the Humber bridge which was the largest in the world when it opened in 1981.
Project Manager Andy Macdonald said: “Every bridge project has its own unique set of challenges, but this was a major step up and on a different scale from any of those we have previously undertaken.
“Throughout the project we worked very closely and collaboratively with the client, who were highly supportive and understanding of the complexities and challenges involved.”
He continued: “Jobs like this are not for people of a weak disposition. The guys are pretty tough – they have to be! After a few days you just get used to working so high up, with just the bridge deck below you. On a sunny, calm day it was the best place in the world to work. The views were stunning – you could see for miles.”
Spencer is now actively pursuing further high-level bridge maintenance projects in the UK and Europe, including dehumidification schemes.
Spencer operations director Pete Vessey said: “The successful delivery of this project is a phenomenal achievement, worthy of the unique status it will retain.
“It required extraordinary technical expertise, innovation, resourcefulness, determination and physical endurance – not to mention a team with a very good head for heights!
“We are very proud to have completed a world-class project and to have ensured a magnificent structure will be a vital part of the transport infrastructure in Denmark for many, many years to come.”
Eight Spencer staff worked in Denmark for the duration of the £8m project, with a 16-strong team from Davai and a Danish sub-contractor Belvent, which provided the dehumidifiers, pipework and injection and exhaust sleeves.
Lars Fuhr Pedersen, technical director, A/S Storebælt, said: “Spencer Group has delivered a very important piece of work in respect of our ongoing maintenance of the East Bridge and in safeguarding its lifespan of at least 100 years.
“We have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Spencer because of their diligent and committed approach and the high standard of their work.
“We also appreciate the importance that Spencer has assigned to safety, which means that the project has been completed with no accidents whatsoever.”
