In Esvres sur Indre, a piece of French railway history was preparing for an upgrade. The original iron viaduct, an 1878 structure that had carried generations across the Indre was being replaced as part of the major modernisation of the Tours–Loches railway line.
At the centre of this transformation was a thorough lifting operation. A 750-tonne crane, towering 85 metres above the valley, brought into manoeuvre 110 tonne deck sections into place. Among the sections lifted was a 57‑metre‑long, 4.7‑metre‑wide bridge deck weighing 260 tonnes. To ensure maximum stability and control during the operation, the deck was divided into two components:
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Component 1, measuring 37.5 metres and 171 tonnes
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Component 2, spanning 19.5 metres and 90 tonnes.
Challenge
October 2025 marked the moment when a century old landmark gave way to a new structure built for the demands of modern rail transport.
Moving a structure of this scale is never just about crane capacity. The team needed a multipoint lifting arrangement, one capable of distributing forces evenly across the deck while preventing any lateral movement that could jeopardise the new viaduct or the surrounding site. Every stage of the lift demanded stability so the deck could be guided into its final position with millimetre level accuracy.
Solution
To meet these demands, we supplied a modular 250 tonne Modulift spreader beam, which allowed the team to define precise lifting points and maintain consistent force transfer throughout the operation.
It was paired with heavy-duty round slings chosen for their strong load-capacity-to-self-weight ratio, along with high-capacity shackles that provided secure, reliable connections throughout the entire load chain.
Outcome
The bridge deck was raised and positioned smoothly and safely, with even load distribution protecting the structure from undue stress. The modular setup allowed the team to adapt lifting points as needed, maintaining full control throughout the operation. As the new deck settled into place, the transformation became clear: a 19thcentury viaduct had made way for a modern, resilient structure ready to serve the region for decades to come. We were glad to have supported such a significant infrastructure project.
Take a look at how the entire project unfolded:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDiaJWhhx-s
If your project demands the same level of precision, stability and safety, our team is ready to support you with expertly coordinated lifting solutions tailored to your exact requirements.
Phone: 03704 247 247
Mail: enquiries@lgh.co.uk
Contact Form: https://lgh.co.uk/contact-lgh
