Further supporting environmental restoration and infrastructure needs at Yellowstone National Park, Mountain Crane Service used three Liebherr LTM mobile crane models to support the heavy lifting needs of demolishing the decades-old Yellowstone River Bridge.
Known as the first national park in the United States, Yellowstone National Park spans approximately 3,460 sq. mi. throughout Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. The park offers a variety of flora and fauna, as well as a hydrothermal system attracting more than 4 million recreational visitors annually.
With so many visitors traveling through the park each year, managing road infrastructure is critical to maintaining the traffic flow through the natural surroundings, including the installation of the new Yellowstone River Bridge carrying traffic across one of the park's most critical corridors. With the new crossing open, crews shifted their focus to the final phase of the project – demolition of the original bridge.
Meeting the Challenge
Located near Tower Junction along the Northeast Entrance Road, the new Yellowstone River Bridge replaced the original, deteriorating bridge constructed more than 60 years ago.
During the demolition process, Mountain Crane provided vital heavy lifting and rigging support for RLW Construction in one of the most challenging environments in the Mountain West.
Using the Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1, LTM 1400-7.1 and LTM 1110-5.1 mobile cranes helped crews safely complete critical picks in tight working areas, including carefully dismantling the original structure piece by piece, beginning with the concrete deck before removing steel and concrete support elements.
The demolition process was completed in multiple stages designed to protect the surrounding river ecosystem and maintain high safety standards in the steep canyon terrain.
Liebherr mobile cranes were the ideal choice for the Yellowstone River Bridge demolition, combining powerful telescopic booms with easy transport to support efficient setup and precise lifting in a challenging terrain, according to the company Their ability to reach varying working heights quickly, along with a wide range of configurations, provided Mountain Crane with the versatility needed for the demo project.
Many Liebherr all-terrain cranes are equipped with advanced safety features such as VarioBase, VarioBallast and the LICCON crane control system, enhancing operator safety and operational efficiency.
The project also included environmental restoration of the surrounding corridor such as former roadway sections, rehabilitation of nearby wetlands and returning portions of Lost Creek to a more natural channel once demolition was fully completed.
Built for Heavy Lifting
Established more than 20 years ago, Mountain Crane has become one of the top crane companies in the country offering more than 100 cranes in its full-service fleet, according to Liebherr. The Utah-based company supports heavy lifting and rigging services, as well as heavy transport for wind, industrial and general construction applications.
Offering a huge range of rentals to meet each of its customers' project requirements, Mountain Crane continues to be a leader in the industry setting themselves apart with major lifts including the Yellowstone bridge demolition, according to Liebherr.
The new Yellowstone River Bridge represents a major investment in long-term infrastructure within the national park. Mountain Crane's use of multiple Liebherr all-terrain cranes highlights the importance of selecting the right equipment for the job, where precise lifting capacity, reach and maneuverability are essential to completing critical lifts safely and efficiently.
Liebherr All-Terrain Cranes
With a range of approximately 25 LTM cranes, from a small two-axle to the large nine-axle model, Liebherr offers the right crane for every job emphasizing safety and reach, as well as equipping new models with the latest technologies.
The Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 is the ultimate heavy-duty crane on eight axles that can complete hoisting work in the 770-ton class or even higher with ease. It offers a wide range of set-up configurations making it incredibly versatile for various project sites.
The Liebherr LTM 1400-7.1 is a seven-axle mobile crane that delivers a maximum lifting capacity of 500 tons. The crane offers easy maneuverability and an adjustable counterweight radius. The Liebherr LTM 1400-7.1 mobile crane can also be equipped with many boom configurations providing an excellent solution for Mountain Crane's various industry job sites.
The Liebherr LTM 1110-5.1 mobile crane is a five-axle model that was designed as a lightweight option for flexible and economic transport. This crane also comes equipped with VarioBase variable support base that generates higher lifting capacities in the areas above the outriggers. These attributes make it easy to transport but also offers more powerful lifts.
Although Mountain Crane offers a wide variety of Liebherr models in its vast fleet, each of these Liebherr mobile cranes played a vital role in the complex demolition of the original Yellowstone River Bridge.
Whether it was maneuvering steep terrain or having the proper lifting capacity, each crane provided flexible adaptations to complete this project safely with minimal effects to the park's environment.
