Bigge Crane & Rigging installs steel bridge deck sections on Oakland Bay Bridge

Specialist heavy lifting contractor Bigge Crane & Rigging has installed the second of a pair of 2000 ton (1818 tonne) steel bridge deck sections on the Oakland Bay Bridge in San Francisco, California, US.

The second span took just 10 hours to lift in an overnight operation between 29 and 30 August.

The deck section was lifted to a height of approximately 200 ft (61 m) within tolerances of 1 mm using computer-controlled Hydrospex strand jacks.

“To lift a 2000 ton (1818 tonne) load that is 200 ft (60 m) long and 85 ft (26 m) wide to a height of 200 ft (60 m) is an operation that requires precise engineering and thorough planning,” said Weston Settlemier, president of Bigge Crane & Rigging.

The New Bay Bridge is expected to cost US$ 6.3 billion and is scheduled to be completed in 2012.