Skip to main content

Gilpin Demolition gets tough with A38 overpass in Devon, UK

December 19, 2014
There was no need for a day shift when Devon-based Gilpin Demolition took on a timely challenge - demolish an overpass bridge in 15 hours and reopen the A38 by the following morning.

The 40m long and 8m high single carriageway bridge, made of 1,400 tonnes of steel and concrete, was an overpass near Rattery. By 8PM the A38 below had been closed and the bridge carriageways were barricaded, ready for Gilpin’s first crew to arrive and lay down 400tonnes of stone road protection on the A38.

Hydraulic breakers then moved in for the real work to begin, as the video shows – there was no sleeping on this job.

As the sun rose over the A38 next morning, the last of the crew moved off site, after 960 man-hours of work that included six dumpers completing 80 trips. The job was 100% finished and the material was 100% recycled.

Related Content

  • Atlas Copco attachments make short work of the A8 Blaubeurer Weg Bridge
    March 21, 2016
    A reinforced concrete bridge over the Autobahn 8 between Merklingen and Nellingen in southern Germany was demolished overnight due in no small part to the efficient, reliable performance of Atlas Copco hydraulic attachments. In addition to demolition grippers, breakers and pulverisers, the demolition team used the HM 2000 hydraulic magnet to demolish structures and sort demolition waste. There is now nothing to stop the widening of the A8 to six lanes or construction of the parallel high-speed Wendlingen
  • Controlled demolition development
    January 25, 2017
    The development of reliable hydraulic attachments has brought a revolution in demolition technology. The hydraulic breaker, pioneered by the Krupp and Montabert brands, has firmly taken hold with a huge range of manufacturers now offering machines. Hydraulic attachment specialists such as Atlas Copco, Indeco and Sandvik (with its Rammer brand) now offer a range of tools that can deliver high efficiency and safety in demolition work. Meanwhile, developments with smaller tools offer productive methods for rep
  • Busy UK motorway junction demolished in tight time frame – Mark Anthony reports
    October 18, 2012
    Military-style planning and overwhelming demolition firepower ensured that Armac Group avoided financial penalties and the wrath of drivers on one of the UK’s busiest motorway intersections. Demolition & Dismantling reports. 6 January is traditionally known for the visit of the three wise men to Bethlehem. However, on 6 January 2012, three wise demolition engineers from Armac Group was tasked with dismantling the monumental structure known as Catthorpe Viaduct: the main overbridge of the M6/M1/A14 interc
  • Epic demolition work for Epiroc in Germany
    November 30, 2023
    A demolition firm in Germany has made good use of hydraulic breakers from Epiroc.