- Wasel GmbH uses Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 to provide assistance in Euskirchen
- THW hoists a 46 tonne temporary bridge over the River Erft to replace the bridge that was washed away
- This is a major signal to demonstrate progress in the restoration work
The Bielefeld branch of the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) has hoisted a 46 tonne
temporary prefabricated bridge over the River Erft using an LTM 1650-8.1. It will replace the
bridge that was destroyed and washed away by the severe flooding in summer 2021. It means
that car drivers and pedestrians in the south-west of the district capital will once again be able to
cross the River Erft. The temporary bridge has sufficient capacity to carry vehicles weighing up
to 30 tonnes. It is an important signal for the local population to show that restoration work is
progressing and is due to remain in place for around one year until the brand new Erft bridge is
ready for installation.
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Ehingen (Donau) (Germany), 24 January 2022 – In the Euskirchen disaster zone, the severe flooding in
2021 resulted in the bridge over the River Erft being destroyed and washed away by the sheer volume of
water. THW Bielefeld has provided a solution in the Euskirchen suburb of Roitzheim in the form of a
prefabricated temporary bridge. The temporary bridge was built by the THW and then assembled on site
using an LTM 1050-3.1. The bridge, weighing 46 tonnes and measuring 22 metres long and 7 metres
wide was then hoisted over the River Erft by an LTM 1650-8.1. The THW had engaged Cologne crane
and heavy haulage contractor Wasel GmbH to complete this work.
The crane was set up with 135 tonnes of ballast with a ballast radius of 8.4 metres. The radius for
hoisting the bridge into position, which weighed 50 tonnes, including the hook and fastening equipment,
was 27 metres. Positioned on a concrete foundation, the bridge contains 1260 screw connections, which
gives it sufficient capacity to carry vehicles weighing up to 30 tonnes. It will therefore be an important
feature for the local population, enabling them to cross the River Erft in the south-west of the district
capital. Julian Schmidt, Technical Director at Wasel, takes up the story: “The restoration work in the
affected areas is proceeding at full speed and we are delighted that we can provide some assistance in
these situations. It’s also wonderful to see how many people are doing such good work every day to get
a little bit of normality back to the affected areas as quickly as possible.”
Mayor Sascha Reichelt describes the temporary bridge as a major signal for the people of Euskirchen. It
is a symbol of reconstruction and shows that life goes on. The temporary bridge is currently scheduled to
remain in place for around one year until the new bridge is ready. The new construction presents a
challenge, however, as the gas, water and telecommunications lines were all carried in the old bridge
and will also have to be rerouted. THW Bielefeld is one of just 16 local THW organisations which has a
specialist “bridge building” group and was already in action in the Ahrweiler district, which was also badly
affected by the flood. “This is a special moment for me. I have never done anything like this before,” says
an impressed THW Team Leader, Burkhard Aehlich.
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