King Lifting

DETAILS

For over three years King Lifting has played a crucial role in the demolition and reconstruction works on various structures for the first phase of the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension in the West Midlands. The extension forms part of Transport for West Midland’s initiatives to regenerate public transport in the region and is being designed and delivered on their behalf by the Midland Metro Alliance (MMA).

The package of works was completed under a contract lift service where King Lifting planned and managed all lifting operations with a skilled team and a range of specialised cranes including the Liebherr LTM 1300-6.2, LTM 1350-6.1, LTM 1500-8.1, LTM 1650-8.1 and LTM 1750-9.1.

A critical part of the project was the installation of the new switch and crossing points at the delta junction where the new line ties in with the existing Metro line. The latest works included a blockade where King Lifting utilised the Liebherr LTM 1750-9.1 crane working up to a 70.2 m radius to install switch and crossing points between the new extension and the existing operational route.

There were some challenges due to the limited room available for rigging, the Liebherr LTM 1750-9.1 was selected for this project to minimise the enabling works required before the blockade started. With limited room available, the LTM 1750-9.1 was configured with a 23.5M fixed fly jib, this configuration required less room than the alternative luffing fly jib configuration.

King Lifting was on site for a total of 9 days and during the blockade, the site team worked 24 hours a day in two 12-hour shifts.

The installation went smoothly and Tom Maplethorpe, Project Director, Midland Metro Alliance recognised the support King Lifting provided by commenting:

“Despite a number of challenges, the works, critical to both the WBHE project and wider Metro network expansion plans, were handed back ahead of schedule and incident-free. A significant achievement for the teams and our client, Transport for West Midlands. We’d like to thank you and your team for your commitment and efforts in working with us to deliver these complex works and look forward to your continued support in delivering future works on the Midland Metro Alliance programme.”

Read more about the MMA project