ABSTRACT
A cantilever erection with a crane moving on the top chord was adopted for the bridge. Creeper cranes of 60-ton capacity were used for handling steelwork. Creepers had leveling gears and 360-deg movement.
Anchor spans were commenced with a creeper crane located on the ground near the tower. The crane moved away from the tower erecting the anchor span. Arrangements inside the anchor block provided for adjustments against settlement and for closure. The towers and saddles on top were erected by a creeper crane from the top of the anchor span. The crane was taken across the towers with the help of a temporary bridge.
The first two panels of the cantilever arm were supported on trestles. Pre-stressing of truss members was achieved by various means of application of force during cantilevering.
The suspended span hung at end of cantilever arm was also erected by cantilevering. Also, 800-ton hydraulic jacks were used chords advance towards each other at the time of closure.
The final closure operation was in three parts and completed without hitch due to meticulous planning and rehearsals. The deck was erected with the help of winches lifting steelwork from pontoons.
