Launching Operations – Bridge Superstructure Section

Dismantling of the Sechshelden Bridge

The Sechshelden Bridge on the A45 is being completely replaced as part of the six-lane expansion. The existing prestressed concrete structures, including piers and abutments, are being dismantled and replaced with new prestressed concrete hollow boxes.

A significant milestone in the dismantling was achieved over the weekend of May 17–18, 2025: A 1'400 ton component, 62 meters long and 10 meters wide, was successfully moved across the tracks of Deutsche Bahn.

The work was carried out within a precisely planned railway closure and was completed accurately within the tight schedule.

Our launching operations represent a crucial step in the bridge dismantling and demonstrate how complex engineering tasks can be executed safely and on time.

Equipment  East Side:

• Launching system: 4 launching units in total, each consisting of:
• 2 custom-made sliding shoes (8 sliding shoes in total)
• 4 LH200 hydraulic cylinders per unit (16 cylinders in total)

Bridge bearings for sliding units:

• 2 box profiles (L: 14.5 m, W: 0.5 m, H: 1 m)

As support beams (for repositioning the sliding units):

• 2 box profiles (L: 14.5 m, W: 0.5 m, H: 1 m)

For pulling:

• 4 pcs. LH80

For braking:

• 4 pcs. LH45

Hydraulic pumps:

• 3 pcs. HPU4-9

Equipment  West Side:

Launching system: 

• 4 pcs. launching units in total, each consisting of:
• 1 pcs. custom-made sliding shoe (4 sliding shoes in total)
• 2 pcs. LH200 hydraulic cylinders per unit (8 cylinders in total)

For pulling:

• 4 pcs. LH80

For braking:

• 4 pcs. LH45

Hydraulic pumps:

• 2 pcs. HPU4-9