Infrastructure projects can play an important role in connecting communities and strengthening local economies, while also enhancing historical structures. In Waterville and Winslow, ME, a significant reconstruction effort is underway—the Maine Department of Transportation’s reconstruction of the Ticonic Bridge over the Kennebec River, an important route connecting the two towns. Leading this complex project is CIANBRO, a trusted Maine-based construction and services leader. To ensure a seamless operation from start to finish, the team is utilizing two Mi-Jack Products’ 50 ton Travelift gantry cranes equipped with custom solutions tailored to the project’s unique demands.
Tackling the Challenge: Lifting on the Historic Bridge
Originally built in 1901, this century-old structure popularly known as the ‘Two Cent Bridge’—named after the original cost of the tollway crossing—is considered the last known surviving pedestrian toll footbridge in the United States. Over the years, the Ticonic Bridge has undergone preservation efforts to maintain the structure, though at various times has been closed when conditions made crossing unsafe. Rebuilding this historically significant, aging suspension bridge requires careful planning, especially when large cranes are needed to operate on top of the structure.
Kennebec River between Waterville and Winslow, Maine.
Innovative Lifting Solution for a Complex Project
Regional Sales Manager for Mi-Jack Products, Kyle Alfieri, reflected on the collaboration, stating, “The Ticonic Bridge replacement was a very unique project. Cianbro’s engineering team came up with a concept to use rail-mounted Mi-Jack Travelifts due to the limit on reach and positioning of normal conventional cranes. Our team (Mi-Jack Products) worked intimately with Cianbro to ensure everything from lifting the necessary bridge components all the way to actually lifting up the crane was a success!” This engineering solution allowed the cranes to traverse the bridge easily to lift and transport steel girders, without inhibiting the project’s 36-month timeline.
Early in 2024, CIANBRO continued work on the Ticonic Bridge project, including the erection of Mi-Jack gantry cranes and installation of crane track and truss sections. Construction is scheduled for completion in May 2027.
Building the Bridge in Phases
To minimize traffic disruption and maintain safety, the reconstruction has progressed in carefully planned stages. Throughout the first phase of the project, Mi-Jack’s gantry cranes played a critical role in dismantling the north side of the bridge, expertly lifting and removing concrete deck sections and steel girders. Their ability to maneuver seamlessly along the bridge deck allowed the construction team to work efficiently while maintaining safety protocols.
With Phase I now complete, Phase II is underway, focusing on the installation of additional support structures and extended bridge spans. In addition to placing new materials, the cranes are essential for removing and repositioning tasks, ensuring that outdated or temporary structures are safely dismantled as new segments are completed.
From North to South: A Crane Lifting A Crane
In a remarkable engineering feat, the CIANBRO team lifted and relocated each 100,000 lb. gantry crane from the north set of trusses on the bridge to the south set. This repositioning showcases the true adaptability and flexibility of Mi-Jack’s cranes, reinforcing their value in large-scale infrastructure projects. This careful pick, rotation, and repositioning marks the beginning of Phase II, where the focus will shift to reconstructing the south side of the bridge. This milestone underscores the tremendous effort and expertise of the CIANBRO team, ensuring progress toward Phase II completion.
Custom Applications for a Unique Project
Mi-Jack’s Travelift cranes are renowned for their versatility, strength, and ability to adapt to complex job sites and industries. For the Ticonic Bridge reconstruction, the Travelift cranes were specially outfitted with key features to meet the project’s unique needs:
Rail Wheel Integration
To allow the cranes to move along the bridge during the stages of construction, Mi-Jack Products and CIANBRO worked together to install gantry trusses on the bridge and custom rail wheels on the Travelift cranes. These wheels enable the cranes to travel seamlessly along the bridge trusses, ensuring materials can be lifted and placed precisely where they are needed. This innovation eliminates the need for constant repositioning or disassembly, saving valuable time and resources.
Adaptability to a Variety of Applications
While the CIANBRO team provided their own lifting attachments, Travelift’s ability to adapt with various attachments has proven invaluable on this project. From lifting large structural steel components to dismantling the concrete bridge deck, the Travelift cranes allow CIANBRO’s team to work efficiently without compromise.
A Commitment to Providing Solutions to Unique Challenges
At Mi-Jack Products, we take pride in providing material handling solutions that help bring critical infrastructure to life. Our ability to collaborate and provide a custom solution for this project highlights its dedication to supporting customers to deliver results and meet project goals. As the bridge reconstruction progresses, Mi-Jack Products’ gantry cranes continue to play a crucial role, ensuring each lift moves the project forward.
-To explore how our Travelift cranes can bring innovation to your next project, contact our team today or visit Mi-Jack Products for more information.
