Two 21LC1050 tower cranes, in the 50 tonne (110,000 lbs) version, are working on the construction of the cable-stayed Gordie Howe International Bridge, linking the cities of Windsor (in Ontario, Canada) and Detroit (Michigan, USA).
The Windsor-Detroit trade corridor is the most transited land trade crossing on the border between Canada and the USA, involving more than 20% of trade transit between both countries. In light of concern that the existing roads between Ontario and Michigan would be unable to cope with the expected increase in traffic, the binational association formed by the governments of Ontario (Canada) and Michigan (United States) identified the need for infrastructure that could withstand a higher flow of traffic between the countries. The cost for the Gordie Howe International Bridge project is CA$5.7 billion and construction is expected to take 74 months.
To respond to the demands of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, which involves the hoisting of particularly heavy loads, two 21LC1050 tower cranes pertaining to the 2100 series - designed to offer maximum performance in projects involving heavy loads, like bridge construction - were selected.
Key points of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project:
- Each crane will reach a hook height of 243.7 metres (800 feet) with a range of 60 metres (196.8 feet). Its jib head load capacity amounts to 19,470 kg (42.834 lbs) and its maximum capacity is 50,000 kg (110.000 lbs).
- The tower will grow alongside the structure via four bracing points. The Comansa engineering team worked closely with the Gordie Howe International Bridge project’s engineers to develop a system that can be installed and removed along the length of the tower crane without assistance.
- The main benefits of using Comansa tower cranes on the Gordie Howe International Bridge project include:
- Easy assembly without strapping.
- Tower sections are connected via bolts, with no need for readjustment.
- Swift change between single and double trolleys, with four- and eight-part reeving, respectively.
- Comansa´s capability to tailor and meet the Gordie Howe International Bridge project´s specific requirements through its expert engineering and service teams.
- Although the crane installed on the American side has kept its blue colour that identifies Comansa cranes, the crane on the Canadian side has been painted red, such that each country has a crane in their representative colours and further embeds the collaborative spirit of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project.
Constructor: Bridging North America, joint venture between Fluor, ACS Infrastructure Canada (Dragados Canada), and Aecon.
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