600-tonnes railway bridge launch for the new Naples–Bari HS/HC line
For Marraffa, this is the first bridge launch using the jack-up lifting system.
Marraffa has successfully completed its first bridge launch using the Enerpac JS-250 jack-up lifting system.
The operation is part of the construction works on the new Naples–Bari high-speed/high-capacity railway line, specifically along the section between Amorosi and Melizzano, in the province of Benevento. This project represents a strategic infrastructure investment aimed at improving transport connections in Southern Italy.
Railway bridge features
The bridge deck stands out for its significant dimensions and technical specifications: it measures 65 meters in length, has a total weight exceeding 600 tonnes, and spans a waterway approximately 30 meters wide.
The structure had previously been positioned on temporary supports alongside the railway line by the construction company. Marraffa then took over to manage the most complex and delicate phases: lifting and final positioning of the railway bridge.
Bridge lifting with Enerpac JS-250 system
For the lifting operations, Marraffa deployed four Enerpac JS-250 units, one at each corner of the structure. Once the bridge reached a height of 4 meters, it was temporarily placed on the system’s barrels before moving on to the next operational phase.
Lateral bridge sliding: technique and precision
Following the lifting phase, the bridge was laterally shifted by 15 meters using a system of hydraulic gantry cranes.
This step allowed the deck to be moved with millimetric precision into its final position on top of the concrete piers, ensuring:
- Maximum structural stability;
- Continuous load control;
- Reduced margins of error.
Advantages of the jack-up system
The use of the Enerpac JS-250 system proved to be a highly efficient solution, especially in a complex operational context such as this one.
As highlighted by Michele Marraffa, company director: “Using the Enerpac JS-250 system allowed us to achieve perfectly synchronized and stable lifting, simplifying the final installation phases through the hydraulic skidding system.”
One of the key advantages of the jack-up system is its ability to perform fully synchronized and continuously monitored lifting operations, ensuring high standards of safety and precision. In addition, it offers remarkable operational flexibility, making it particularly effective even in complex logistical environments where traditional solutions may be difficult to implement.
Marraffa: a key player in heavy lifting and bridge launching
This project further confirms Marraffa’s role as a specialized player in bridge launching operations and, more broadly, in heavy lifting projects.
The adoption of advanced technologies such as the Enerpac jack-up system represents significant added value in tackling increasingly complex projects, contributing to the development of strategic infrastructure like the Naples–Bari railway line.