CPA Bulletin

34 CPA Bulletin > February 2023 www.cpa.uk.net Four GEDA Transport Platforms Being Used in Historic Project To submit news for consideration for future issues of the CPA Bulletin, please email: lisa@lisacollinscommunications.co.uk Four GEDA transport platforms are supporting construction work in the German state of Saxony. The rail support structure of the historic Elster Viaduct is being replaced and the brickwork renovated. The Elster Viaduct spans across the White Elster river and the Gera South-Weischlitz railway line that runs parallel to the river. With a height of 68m and length of 270m, the railway bridge is the world’s second largest brick bridge after the Göltzsch Viaduct. The foundation stone was laid back in 1846 and up to 800 workers used 12 million bricks to build the viaduct over a period of five years. Various renovations and repairs followed, and even a partial reconstruction after the central viaduct pillar was blown up in World War II. To secure the stability of the monument for today’s railway traffic, the brickwork is being extensively renovated and the track base is being rebuilt. German national railway operator Deutsche Bahn reports that there is currently water ingress into the structure because the sealing and drains are in need of repair. All work has to take into account the listed status of this historically significant structure. The construction work presents a challenge, due to the sheer size and the location of the bridge. A 30m long suspended bridge was installed between the supports of the Elster Viaduct for transporting materials across the White Elster. There is very little space available on site, which makes horizontal transport and erecting scaffolding difficult. Four GEDA transport platforms are being used during the entire five-year construction period. In the first phase, the construction hoists are being used to transport materials for setting up the scaffolding. Thereafter, they will be used as material hoists or as transport platforms for passengers and materials. NEWS FROMCPA MEMBERS: 5