Russell Marine utilizes multiple crane barges
Liberty, TX
Russell Marine used a combination of floating Flexifloat assemblies and a temporary trestle to replace some aging railroad bridge spans and piers. Originally built in 1904, the Union Pacific railroad bridge crosses the Trinity River in Liberty, TX and included a Parker Bowstring Truss and a Pratt Through-Truss. Since the bridge connects two of the nation’s busiest ports, Houston and Beaumont, careful coordination and planning were required to replace the spans in one day.
The new bridge piers required four 200 ft. long 10 ft. diameter drilled shafts for the two piers located in the Trinity River. A Liebherr LR-1300 crawler supported on an 80’ x 80’ x 7’ Flexifloat assembly was used to drive the 10’ diameter drill casings, and a Kobelco CK1600G crawler on an 80’ x 90’ x 7’ U-shaped S70 assembly was used to drill the shafts.
An 80’ x 90’ x 7’ Flexifloat assembly was used to support A. H. Beck’s CAT 352F drill rig and Roll Lift’s Liebherr LTR 1220 crane. This assembly was also used later in the project to support a Manitowoc 2250 Series 3 crawler. A 50’ x 80’ x 7’ spud barge was used to support an American 9270 working a clamshell.
In addition to the crane barges, a variety of material barges were used during the project including a 20’ x 80’ x 7’ and 50’ x 60’ x 7’ assembly.
The heaviest pick was handled by a Liebherr LR-11350 crawler supported on a temporary trestle. This pick involved setting the new 151’ Thru Plate Girder weighing 709,700 lb at a 109’ radius.
