First for US

Mammoet and Flatiron Construction have successfully completed the main span float and lift of the Wellsburg Bridge, which connects Wellsburg, West Virginia and Brilliant, Ohio. Upon completion, the tied-arch bridge will significantly reduce travel time between the two communities, aiding in improved local commerce.

History was made during the project as floating a bridge had never been done before in West Virginia. In addition, it is the heaviest floating bridge lift ever executed in the US.

Mammoet’s proposed technical solution utilized its Mega Jack system to jack-up and install the Bridge, weighing 3870t (8540 kips or 8.5 million lbs).

Flatiron Construction opted to use Mega Jacks due to increased efficiency, reduced disturbance, and a more controlled method which offered a higher level of safety. This was the first time the Mega Jack 5200 system was used on a barge, and the first time a system of this type and capacity was used in the US.

Mammoet mobilized eight Mega Jack 5200 towers and eight 500-ton strand jacks and installed the equipment onto four prepared barges in New Orleans, Louisiana, and began function testing of the system. Flatiron Construction floated the barges to Wellsburg, West Virginia where Mammoet then took over the load of the bridge on its Mega Jack system.

Mammoet jacked-up the bridge with a total of six jacking beam layers and their client executed the float in operation. Once positioned next to the bridge piers, Mammoet jacked up the bridge again in order for the bridge to be floated between the piers and over the bridge bearings and the approach girder. Mammoet’s tool kit consisted of a total of 18 jacking beam layers to cover all possible water levels during execution. Next, the jack-down operation began to precisely position the bridge on its bearings and to allow the barges to be floated away.

With safety as highest priority, Mammoet skilfully executed the scope of work ahead of schedule in one day without incident.