Potain tower on world’s tallest bridge in China

Working with its full 75- metre jib and lifting up to 20 tonnes, the Potain MCT 385 delivered strength, stability and precision on the steep cliffs of Guizhou.

A Potain MCT 385 flat top tower crane wrapped up its work on the world’s tallest bridge, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou, southwestern China.

With a vertical clearance of 625 metres (2,051 feet) between the bridge deck and the river below, the structure more than doubles the height of France’s Millau Viaduct. Once open, it will cut travel time between Liuzhi and Anlong from three hours to just 1.5 hours.

The crane, owned and operated by Guizhou ShengYongSheng, arrived on site in late 2023. It was set up with a full 75 metre (246-foot) jib to support general contractor Guizhou Bridge Construction Group. As the primary lifting tool on the job, it was used to handle loads of up to 20 tonnes (22 US tons), including tasks such as erecting pylons and placing steel truss girders for the bridge’s 1,420-metre (4,659-foot) main span and 2,890-metre (9,482-foot) total length.

The Potain MCT 385 standing tall over the Huajiang Grand Canyon, supporting construction of the world’s tallest bridge.

Built into steep cliffs and remote terrain, the MCT 385 worked alongside the world’s longest-span cable crane system to access areas unreachable by conventional cranes. The setup allowed for faster progress and safe lifting despite the site’s extreme conditions.

“This canyon was once a construction ‘no-go zone’, but the MCT 385 has reaffirmed Potain’s position as a manufacturer and strategic partner capable of delivering technological breakthroughs,” said Ling Qian, marketing managerm China, Manitowoc. “This project shows China’s ongoing commitment to ambitious infrastructure development and highlights the role global, high-end equipment can play in delivering these mega-projects. At Potain we want to drive innovation, turning projects that were previously impossible into reality.”

The MCT 385 used on the bridge has previously worked on several major developments in the region, including the Guiyang Twin Towers and the Xifeng Industrial Standardized Plant Project.