Liebherr crane plays key role in Helsinki bridge project

Kruunuvuori Bridge under consruction, with Liebherr crane positioned adjacent to central pylon (Photo: Liebherr)

Work has been completed on construction of the central pylon of the Kruunuvuori Bridge in Helsinki, Finland. The bridge will be both the longest and tallest in the country.

Construction of the 135 metre central pylon was completed using a Liebherr 630 EC-H 40 Litronic saddle jib tower crane. The crane completed all lifting operations for the project between 2022 and late 2025.

This included positioning of framework section, lifting reinforcement cages, concrete delivery equipment and other structural components.

The 630 EC-H 40 Litronic had a capacity of 40,000 kg and a maximum jib radius of 80 metres. With extended configurations available, the crane was capable of supporting work throughout the project, even as the pylon approached its maximum height.

The crane was already part of the equipment fleet operated by construction company TYL Kruunusillat. It was considered an appropriate choice largely due to the high-performance hoists and multiple drives that help to ensure both safety and operational precision.

The Liebherr Tower Crane Solutions (TCS) team was also involved, to calculate the appropriate tower configuration and anchor tie-in positions.

“Both the complex guying geometry and the regular adjustments to the guying and hook heights, driven by the progress of the construction works, required a high level of structural engineering expertise. By fully utilising the available structural capacity, we were able to apply our know-how to deliver a safe and efficient solution,” said a TCS team member.

Commissioned by the City of Helsinki and designed by WSP Finland and Knight Architects, the cable-stayed bridge spans approximately 1.2 kilometres across Kruunuvuorenselkä bay.

The bay has a series of environmental and logistical challenges, largely related to it being a stretch of the Baltic Sea. Winter temperatures regularly fall to well below freezing, which have to be compensated for to keep machinery operational. High winds are also a feature of the exposed area.

The robust mechanics and Litronic control system of the Liebherr crane remained unfased by the harsh conditions, operating throughout the build process, the company said.

Helsinki’s latest addition was designed to deliver a service life of 200 years, meaning the Kruunuvuori Bridge will remain a feature of the cityscape for many years.

(The Kruunuvuori Bridge was officially opened to pedestrians and cyclists in April 2026. A light rail tram service starts in 2027.)