[Job Story] Genie Boom Lifts Take Part in the Mohembo Bridge Construction

The construction of the 0.745 mi (1.2 km) long suspension bridge over the Okavango River makes it possible to promote transportation to and from neighbouring countries to Botswana, as well as providing access to ports and tourism. Based in Midrand, Goscor Access Solutions (GAS) supplied the construction site manager with several Genie boom lifts, including two Genie SX-150 super booms, proving the ability to work at extreme heights.

As part of this majestic project, the bridge is designed with pylons in the form of crossed elephant tusks. For their construction, GAS provided two Genie SX-150 telescopic boom lifts particularly well suited to the task thanks to, among other characteristics, their working heights and outreach. The Genie SX-150 offers a working height of up to nearly 157 ft 4 in (48 m), a horizontal outreach of more than 78 ft 7 in (24 m), a basket capacity of 749 lb (340 kg) plus a 10 ft (3.05 m) vertical and horizontal articulating jib to offer high-precision positioning of operators and their equipment at height.

This model also features the patented folding Genie XChassis system, highly appreciated for the ease of transport it provides.

Indeed, the construction site is a two-day drive from the capital, Gaborone, and the last 224 miles (360 km) take a rough and downhill route, making the transport of equipment and materials particularly difficult.

In addition to a mix of other Genie equipment, GAS advised the use of several Genie Z-80/60 articulating boom lifts for their remarkable versatility, their ability to negotiate obstacles thanks to their up-and-over reach of 28 ft 9 in (8.83 m), and a working height of nearly 85 ft (26 m), as well as their 15 ft 8 in (4.83 m) below grade capabilities, a basket capacity of 500 lb (227 kg) and the productivity benefits offered by the Genie Fast Mast System in providing the ability to raise and retract the boom quickly.

The great floods of 2020 and the coronavirus pandemic slowed down progress last year, but despite the challenges, the team managed to almost complete the job, which also includes the construction of 3 km (1.8 m) of ramps connecting with existing roads, as well as rainwater drainage works, electrical installations and street lighting.

The bridge is located near the border between Botswana and Namibia. Once completed, it will provide easy access to Namibian ports and promote links with Angola and Zambia, whose borders are close to the site.