East Nippon Expressway Hokkaido Branch Publishes Bridge Girder Installation Using Multi-Axle Trailers
Construction by Penta-Ocean JV
October 6, 2025 – Construction & Planning
The East Nippon Expressway (NEXCO East) Hokkaido branch has showcased the second-ever case in Hokkaido of installing an entire bridge girder in one lift using multi-axle trailers. The method was applied at the “Shiribeshi Expressway Otaru Junction C-ramp bridge project” in Otaru City.
In the night of October 1 through the early hours of October 2, the team transported and installed a pre-assembled steel girder section, built on the ground, using two multi-axle trailers. Reporters were invited to observe the first operation.
Otaru Junction connects the Sasson Expressway (linking Sapporo and Otaru) with the Shiribeshi Expressway (linking Otaru and Yoichi). Currently, traffic from Otaru toward Yoichi is not possible, and only three of the four directions are accessible. To address this, NEXCO East is implementing a full-access upgrade at Otaru JCT, including construction of the new C-ramp bridge, which will allow travel from Otaru to Yoichi via the Sasson Expressway.
The C-ramp bridge is an 11-span composite box girder bridge, with a total length of 641 meters (191.5 m steel box girder, 449.5 m prestressed concrete box girder), and an effective width of 6.7–7.6 meters. Construction is led by the joint venture of Penta-Ocean Construction, PS Construction, and Yokogawa Bridge. The project runs from August 31, 2019, to January 20, 2027.
In the latest work, the girder (80 m long, 2.8 m high, weighing 434.5 tons) was loaded onto two multi-axle trailers and moved about 360 meters from the assembly yard to the installation site, spanning from Abutment A1 to Pier P1 across the active Sasson Expressway. Normally, such installation would require cranes and space for assembly at the site, leading to several days of road closures. The trailer method shortens closure periods, requiring only limited nighttime restrictions. This was the second time the method was used in Hokkaido, after the 2017 installation of the B-ramp bridge at Otaru JCT.
At the site, the girder was repeatedly rotated to align with the already-installed P1–P2 girder section, and temporarily fixed about 150 mm higher than its final position.
Kenzo Nakashima, Construction Section Chief of the NEXCO East Hokkaido Sapporo Office, said:
“This bridge will also serve as an alternative route if disasters occur on National Route 5 or in Otaru City. We aim to advance construction safely and quickly, contributing to the growth of Otaru and Yoichi.”
The next step will be on October 8, when another night closure will be carried out to jack down the temporarily fixed girder and connect it with the existing span.
