The biggest mobile crane in Europe was used by Sir Robert McAlpine to install seven huge steel beams across the River Clyde during construction of one of the largest structures on the M74 Completion project in Glasgow.
The beams, which each weigh between 250 and 330 tonnes, will support the Auchenshuggle Bridge at the eastern end of the 8km scheme to link the M74 with the M8 in Glasgow city centre.
The 1,600-tonne crane was delivered in sections by more than 100 vehicles and took a week to construct.
The beams, the longest of which is 86.5 metres, are each made up of five steel box girders and were assembled on site before being lifted into place.
The Auchenshuggle Bridge will carry both carriageways of the new road and is the only one of the project’s 13 major structures that crosses over water.
The £445 M74 completion contract is being delivered by the Interlink M74 joint venture, which comprises McAlpine, Balfour Beatty, Morgan Sindall, and Morrison Construction.
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