Major operation on the A2

Hard work: 230-ton bridge dismantled

The first of the two Mur bridges between Feldkirchen and Graz was dismantled and taken apart during the night. A total closure of the A2 was necessary.(Bild: Asfinag)

Dexterity and strong nerves were required on Sunday night when the 230-tonne supporting structure of the old Mur bridge on the Südautobahn near Graz Airport was excavated. The steel structure was lifted out with three cranes and transported to a parking lot, where it is now being prepared for recycling.

The last journey of the old Mur bridge on the A 2 Südautobahn between Graz-Ost and Feldkirchen/Airport got off to a spectacular start on Sunday night. Three cranes were needed to lift the remaining supporting structure, a 230-ton steel frame, from its place.

It took longer than expected to get the colossus moving.(Bild: Asfinag)

The supporting structure weighs 230 tons.(Bild: Asfinag)

Difficulties at the start
"The steel colossus proved to be more stubborn than expected at the beginning," reports Asfinag. "But by midnight it was ready and the crane operators were able to lift the almost 100-metre-long supporting structure centimetre by centimetre and swivel it onto a special vehicle positioned on the carriageway for removal." This was used to transport the structure to a nearby abandoned parking lot, where it was broken down into small pieces and prepared for recycling.

The old bridge foundations, known as abutments, will now also be demolished, after which work will begin on the new bridge piers, on which the new northern bridge can be erected by the end of the year.