Demolition of the Šmejkalka bridge on the D1 highway

We participated in the implementation of one of the most technically demanding demolitions of highway bridges in the Czech Republic – the gradual demolition of the first half of the Šmejkalka bridge on the D1 highway. The work was carried out with full traffic transferred to the second half of the bridge and at a height of over 40 meters above the valley.

A key part of the implementation was the gradual removal of the bridge’s supporting structure, one by one, cut blocks. These were then carried by heavy mobile cranes Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 and Liebherr LTM 1400-7.1. Individual parts of the structure weighed up to tens of tons, which required maximum precision in handling and thorough coordination of all activities.

In the complicated terrain of the valley, it was necessary to build special work ramps for heavy mobile cranes and demolition equipment, which enabled the safe installation of the equipment and the smooth progress of the work. Another significant technical challenge was the minimum distance between the new structure and the demolished part of the bridge, which in some places was approximately 20 cm. The entire demolition therefore placed extraordinary demands on the precision of execution, planning of individual steps and safety of implementation.

After the completion of the demolition of the bridge segments, the work continued with the use of heavy demolition equipment, including Caterpillar 5080 and Liebherr R954C machines, which ensured the systematic demolition of the pillars and subsequent recycling of the material.

The project also included preserving the historic arch of the bridge, which had to remain undamaged throughout the work. The implementation was thus carried out under constant control and with an emphasis on protecting the existing structures.

We successfully completed the demolition of the first half of the Šmejkalka Bridge thanks to precise preparation, an experienced team of crane operators and machinists, and consistent coordination of all subsequent work in the demanding conditions of highway traffic.