SEMA Construction sets TX70 girders on Lake Ray Hubbard using Flexifloat transport and crane barges.
Rowlett, Texas
At an estimated cost of $142 million, the TXDOT I-30 Expansion Project will help improve the traffic in the rapidly growing areas of Dallas and Rockwall counties. The project includes the widening of the existing I-30 bridge across Lake Ray Hubbard along with the construction of new frontage road bridges. Working with Robishaw Engineering, SEMA Construction developed a plan to transport the TX70 girders and their tractor-trailers out to the crane barge assemblies. Steamboat Structures developed the lift plan allowing SEMA to utilize a two-crane pick on the Flexifloat floating platforms designed by Robishaw Engineering. The stability analysis performed by Robishaw confirmed that the Kobelco crawlers could perform the lifts working within their rated marine limits. The two Kobelco CK2500 II crawler cranes were lifting girders as long as 139′ and weighing up to 145,000 lbs.
By allowing the tractor-trailers to pull directly on to the girder transport, SEMA was able to load the girder, transport the girder to the bent location, make the two-crane pick, return to the dock, and unload the empty tractor trailer in an efficient timeframe. All the while, the drilling contractor, ATS Drilling, was able to continue drilling the remaining pier shafts several bents ahead. The drilling platforms, along with transport barges for the cages and spoils, were also supported on Flexifloat assemblies.
