The deck was launched using a jack-up lifting system combined with a hydraulic gantry system.
The synergy between Marraffa and Werent led to the successful launch of a railway bridge weighing over 600 tons on the new Naples–Bari High-Speed/High-Capacity (HS/HC) line.
The operation, carried out on the Amorosi–Melizzano section in the province of Benevento, represents a key milestone in the development of a strategic infrastructure designed to boost mobility in Southern Italy. In this context, the use of advanced equipment and Marraffa’s engineering expertise proved decisive in efficiently managing the site’s operational complexities.
The structure had been previously placed on temporary supports alongside the railway line by the construction company. Marraffa then stepped in to manage the most complex and delicate phases: the lifting and final positioning of the railway bridge. The deck featured significant technical specifications: a length of 65 meters and a weight exceeding 600 tons, designed to span a watercourse approximately 30 meters wide.
Bridge lifting with the Enerpac JS-250 system
The structure was lifted using technology provided by Werent: an Enerpac JS-250 jack-up system, configured with four lifting units—one at each corner of the deck. The bridge was raised to a height of approximately 4 meters and temporarily supported by the jack-up system’s barrels, which were stacked using a telehandler rented from Werent.
Lateral translation: technique and precision
Following the lift, a 15-meter lateral translation was performed using a hydraulic gantry system (skidding system) moving in a controlled manner along a beam-and-rail foundation.
This phase allowed the deck to be shifted with millimeter precision until it was correctly positioned over the concrete piers, ensuring:
- Maximum structural stability;
- Continuous load monitoring;
- Minimized margin of error.
“The use of the Enerpac JS-250 system guaranteed perfectly synchronized and stable lifting, simplifying the final installation phases through the hydraulic translation system” stated Michele Marraffa, CEO of both companies.