Liebherr LR 1700-1.0 Leads Precision Bridge Demolition at Hanau Main Railway Station
- Meagan Wood
- Mar 3, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 1
30-Second Takeaway
A Liebherr LR 1700-1.0 crawler crane from Emil Egger AG is playing the central role in the complex demolition of the Eisenstrassenbrücke at Hanau’s main railway station in Germany. With individual bridge segments weighing up to 280 tonnes, the project relies on precision sawing and controlled lifting rather than blasting, ensuring safety around active rail infrastructure. The crane’s configuration, sensitivity, and heavy ballast capacity make it ideally suited for this high-risk, rail-adjacent demolition.
Precision Demolition in a Rail-Critical Environment
After years of planning, demolition work is now underway on the Eisenstrassenbrücke, a road bridge built in 1959 at the western end of Hanau’s main railway station. The operation is being executed by construction specialist Max Wild, in partnership with crane rental provider Emil Egger AG, working alongside the City of Hanau’s building authority, Deutsche Bahn, and multiple technical stakeholders.
Given the bridge’s location above active rail lines, conventional demolition methods such as blasting or hydraulic breakers were ruled out early. Instead, the team adopted a saw-and-lift dismantling strategy, allowing bridge segments to be removed individually under full crane control.
Liebherr LR 1700-1.0: The Key Lifting Asset
At the heart of the operation is Emil Egger’s Liebherr LR 1700-1.0, the second-largest crane in the company’s fleet, following its LR 11000. The crawler crane is capable of lifting bridge components weighing up to 280 tonnes, making it ideally suited for the staged demolition approach.
The crane was assembled in early December 2024 with:
60-metre main boom
36-metre derrick boom
50 tonnes central ballast
150 tonnes revolving platform ballast
Up to 375 tonnes of suspended ballast for peak lifts
Transported to site on 38 trucks, the crane was assembled within three days by three Egger technicians, supported by a 120-tonne telescopic crane. This rapid assembly highlights the efficiency of Liebherr’s modular crawler crane design.
Saw, Secure, Lift: How the Bridge Comes Apart
Demolition is being carried out in two phases. The first phase, scheduled to conclude by 31 December 2024, involves:
15 individual lifts
Approximately 4,000 tonnes of material removed
Each bridge segment, weighing between 70 and 280 tonnes, is cut free using industrial band saws. During cutting, the segment is fully secured to the LR 1700-1.0 using lifting straps and sling chains. Only once the final saw cut is complete does the load transfer entirely to the crane.
After separation, the crane must immediately:
Luff the boom to stabilize the load
Retract slightly from the structure
Slew approximately 180 degrees
Gently place the segment into the designated dismantling zone
Many of these lifts are carried out during night shifts, requiring extreme operator concentration and precise crane response.
Operator Perspective: Sensitivity Matters
Operating the LR 1700-1.0 is Stefan Beeler, who joined Emil Egger AG three years ago specifically to work on this crane. Beeler logs approximately 600 operating hours per year on the LR 1700 and praises its control characteristics.
He highlights the crane’s Liccon control system, noting its precision and responsiveness during delicate operations. While assembly and disassembly are complex, Beeler emphasizes that with a 130-tonne auxiliary crane both can be completed within a few days thanks to clear assembly instructions and precise component fit.
Why the LR 1700-1.0 Was the Right Choice
During the heaviest lift to date, a 280-tonne bridge section required the crane to operate with 375 tonnes of suspended ballast. The lift demanded immediate boom luffing after load release, followed by retraction and slewing all while maintaining stability near live rail infrastructure.
According to Simon Walcher, Site Manager at Max Wild, selecting Emil Egger as the crane partner was a deliberate decision.
“This is a technically demanding project with no margin for error. Egger has the experience and the right crane for the job.”
What’s Next
The LR 1700-1.0 has been on site since mid-December and is expected to remain until the end of February. The second demolition phase will begin in the latter half of February and includes 16 additional heavy lifts.
Despite more than 1,800 operating hours over three years, the crane remains in near-new condition something Beeler attributes to both Liebherr’s build quality and Egger’s maintenance standards.
About Emil Egger AG
Emil Egger AG is a Swiss-based transport and crane services company specializing in heavy lifting, infrastructure projects, industrial assembly, and logistics. The company operates one of Switzerland’s most advanced crane fleets, including large crawler cranes used primarily for bridge construction, industrial projects, and harbor operations.
Learn more 🔗 https://www.ete.ch
About Liebherr
The Liebherr Group is a family-owned global manufacturer of construction machinery and industrial equipment, operating across 13 product segments. Liebherr’s crawler crane division, based in Ehingen, Germany, is recognized worldwide for its heavy-lift innovation, modular crane concepts, and advanced control systems.
The LR 1700-1.0 combines the transport efficiency of a 600-tonne class crawler crane with lifting performance approaching the 750-tonne class, making it a versatile solution for infrastructure, industrial, and demolition projects.
Learn more about Liebherr crawler cranes:🔗 https://www.liebherr.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What bridge is being demolished in Hanau?
The Eisenstrassenbrücke, built in 1959, located at the western end of Hanau’s main railway station.
Why wasn’t blasting used for demolition?
Because the bridge crosses active railway infrastructure, blasting or hammering could have damaged tracks, overhead lines, or nearby structures.
Why was the Liebherr LR 1700-1.0 selected?
Its lifting capacity, precise control, modular configuration, and ability to handle loads up to 280 tonnes made it ideal for controlled dismantling.
How heavy are the bridge sections being removed?
Individual segments weigh between 70 and 280 tonnes.
How is safety ensured during sawing operations?
Each segment is fully secured to the crane before the final saw cut, ensuring no uncontrolled movement.
How long will the crane remain on site?
The LR 1700-1.0 is scheduled to remain until the end of February 2025 to complete the second demolition phase.
What makes this demolition technically challenging?
Limited working space, live railway operations, night work, heavy loads, and the need for precise slewing and placement.
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