Liebherr cranes complete tandem lift over Swiss motorway

Liebherr LTM 1230-5.1 mobile cranes moving pipe bridge into position (Photo: Liebherr)

Swiss construction and logistics specialist Hodel SHLK has completed a complicated lift in Rotkreuz, also in Switzerland.

The project involved raising a pipe bridge weighing 60 tonnes over the A41 motorway as part of a new district heating network.

To complete the lift, two Liebherr LTM 1230-5.1 mobile cranes were used to position the 47-metre assembly across both motorway carriageways.

Owing to the tight timeframe, largely due to having to close the motorway to complete the work, planning for the lift took about one year.

This included simulation of the work area to identify any issues; a diorama of the site was created to show related infrastructure. This included two high-voltage power lines running either side of the motorway.

Prior to the tandem lift, the pipe bridge was assembled adjacent to the work area.

With machines and workers positioned next to the motorway, the route was closed and work began. The planning paid off and the coordinated effort culminated in the pipe bridge being lowered into position.

As for the Liebherr cranes, they had already moved on before the morning rush hour started on the reopened highway.