Deck segments of the Sutong cable-stay bridge across China’s Yangtse River will be lifted into position using hydraulic equipment manufactured in the UK by James Walker Engineering Services for Dorman Long Technology Ltd.
  The bridge’s 1088m main span comprises 16m-long segments — weighing up to 450t each — that are fabricated off site then floated on barges into position beneath the bridge structure.
   Each will be lifted to the correct height, aligned and welded to the previous deck segment.
  Dorman Long Technology is sub-contractor for the design and supply of the eight deck-erection gantries to main contractor 2nd Navigation Engineering Bureau.
  Reported James Walker’s hydraulic systems manager Peter Bryan: “We have produced 64 hydraulic cylinders and eight 290t lifting strand jacks for this major engineering project.”
Deck erection is due to start in August 2006 and be completed the following June.
James Walker Engineering Services specialises in the design, manufacture and assembly as well as the maintenance and refurbishment of hydraulic systems.