In a pioneering project in Wittenberge, Germany, a Liebherr 125 EC-B 6 tower crane seems to defy gravity as it stands on a platform attached to the side of a new bridge. The challenge arises from the bridge’s proximity to a nature reserve, necessitating minimal space usage. This innovative approach marks the first of its kind in Germany.
The tower crane, equipped with a hook height of 16.5 meters and a jib length of 42.5 meters, advances with the bridge’s construction, staying at roughly the same height as the bridge’s top edge. Supported by three Liebherr 81 K.1 fast-erecting cranes, the project showcases a unique collaboration between technology and environmental considerations. The construction site’s small footprint aligns with the nature conservation area’s requirements.
Supplied by Hüffermann Krandienst GmbH and contracted by Implenia, the crane is a vital component of a bridge construction project that involves assembling segments on land and pushing them across the Elbe to respective support piers. With 9,000 tonnes of steel, the bridge surpasses the Eiffel Tower’s weight, comprising 20-meter-long components manufactured in Saxony.
Part of the A 14 motorway expansion, the bridge, set to open in 2026, will be the longest of the entire northward extension. However, the full motorway section is expected to be open to traffic by 2028, making it Germany’s largest ongoing motorway construction project.
