Wolff cranes power Austria’s new Aurach Bridge project

Hannah Sundermeyer Digital Editor, American Cranes & Transport

01 October 2025

Three Wolff 7534.16 Clear tower cranes played a central role in the demolition and reconstruction of the Aurach Bridge on Austria’s A1 West Motorway.

After more than three years of work, the new Aurach Bridge near the Regau junction in Upper Austria officially opened to traffic in early September, marking the completion of a complex infrastructure project along the busy A1 west motorway.

Wolff Clear flat top towers on Aurach bridge

The cranes lifted loads up to 13 tonnes during the demolition of the old bridge as well as the construction of the new superstructures and piers

The Habau/Porr joint venture relied on three Wolff 7534.16 Clear flat top tower cranes to execute the bridge demolition and reconstruction. Long-time Wolffkran customer Habau supplied the cranes, each with a load capacity of 16.5 tonnes (18.2 U.S. tons). Installed in 2022, the cranes were set on two 77.6 metre (254 foot) towers and one 64.1 metre (210 foot) tower.

Throughout the project, the cranes handled a wide range of tasks, from dismantling the old bridge to lifting reinforcing steel, formwork elements, precast concrete components, construction vehicles and concrete for the new superstructures and piers. Freestanding loads of up to 13 tonnes (14.3 U.S. tons) were achieved. After nearly three years on site, the cranes were dismantled.

The new Aurach Bridge is 50 metres high and 420 metres long, with piers whose foundations rest on bored piles more than 30 metres deep

Assembly and dismantling proved especially challenging given the confined jobsite, which was hemmed in by live motorway lanes, adjacent railway tracks, and a nearby stream. Careful planning, along with support from the Wolffkran technical team, ensured that logistics ran smoothly. The cranes were outfitted with slew limiters and cameras to aid in safe load handling and minimise risk.

To maintain traffic flow during construction, crews first erected a temporary side-position bridge next to the existing structure. The old bridge was then demolished, and the permanent bridge was built in its final position. In spring 2025, the temporary deck was shifted laterally onto the new piers using hydraulic systems and sliding tracks – a complex manoeuvre that capped off the project.