Flyover replacement

French contractor DSD Démolition was one of three firms that worked on the recent demolition of the A55 highway flyover in Marseilles, France. The 20-year-old flyover stood near the harbour and formed part of a main route through Marseille leading to Lyon and Avignon. However, it was an ugly structure and spoiled the city's landscape so as part of the wider regeneration taking part in Marseille's harbour, the 1.3km bridge had to be demolished within three months. DSD Démolition had two operators for each of
February 22, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
French contractor DSD Démolition was one of three firms that worked on the recent demolition of the A55 highway flyover in Marseilles, France. The 20-year-old flyover stood near the harbour and formed part of a main route through Marseille leading to Lyon and Avignon. However, it was an ugly structure and spoiled the city's landscape so as part of the wider regeneration taking part in Marseille's harbour, the 1.3km bridge had to be demolished within three months. DSD Démolition had two operators for each of its machines and worked around the clock to complete the project on time. Demolition work was carried out at night by a total of eight machines, when the nearby road was closed, and rubble was cleared away during the day by six machines.
DSD Démolition used four 233 Hitachi excavators on the site. The bridge was demolished by a ZX470LCH-3 and ZX250LCN-3, which were both fitted with hydraulic hammer attachments, protective guards and lights to work through the night. The ZX470LCH-3 was equipped with a quick coupler to change between a standard and 26m high-reach boom. A ZX350LCN-3 fitted with a rotating concrete breaker attachment was used for crushing large concrete blocks into smaller pieces and clearing the site. An older ZX350LC with shears was used to cut concrete and steel bars.
Now the bridge has been demolished, work can start on the construction of a 1.2km tunnel beneath the road where it once stood. This will connect to an existing tunnel that runs beneath the old harbour.
Earthmoving & soil compaction

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • GPS machine control paves the way for Turkish canal
    February 7, 2012
    GPS machine control for earthworks and concrete paving is helping to fast track construction of an irrigation canal in Turkey - Claire Symes reports. The Turkish economy is expected to flourish as a result of construction of a new irrigation channel currently underway in the east of the country. This canal is benefiting from the latest concrete paving and earthmoving technology and will bring with it prosperity to a deprived area of the country. But the project is already taking the lead in terms of Turkish
    Read More
  • Montabert revives popular 501 breaker name
    January 6, 2017
    Montabert has updated its most well-known hydraulic breaker. When the French company started making hammers 40 years ago, its first breaker was called the BRH501. Now Montabert is launching a new series of breakers and the first model is called the 501 Next Generation. Weighing in at 730kg, the breaker has the same power as Montabert’s previous 1,000kg models. This increase in power to weight will allow demolition contractors to use the breaker on longer reach machines, or on smaller excavators if required.
    Read More
  • Montabert revives popular 501 breaker name
    April 22, 2013
    Montabert has updated its most well-known hydraulic breaker. When the French company started making hammers 40 years ago, its first breaker was called the BRH501. Now Montabert is launching a new series of breakers and the first model is called the 501 Next Generation. Weighing in at 730kg, the breaker has the same power as Montabert’s previous 1,000kg models. This increase in power to weight will allow demolition contractors to use the breaker on longer reach machines, or on smaller excavators if required.
    Read More
  • New crushing and screening developments abounded at Hillhead
    October 3, 2014
    A wide array of crushing, screening and materials handling technologies have been introduced in recent months - Mike Woof writes The manufacturers of crushing and screening products have been developing an array of new systems to optimise production. The recent Hillhead show in the UK was the launch point for a number of these new products, although firms from all over the world have also been developing new designs. Productivity and wear life are two performance factors seeing major benefits from innovatio
    Read More

Highlighted Content