Emil Egger’s Liebherr LR 11000 Dismantles Highway Bridge Over Rail Tracks in Ulm
- Meagan Wood
- Mar 11
- 4 min read
30-Second Takeaway
Swiss heavy lifting specialist Emil Egger AG deployed its Liebherr LR 11000 crawler crane to dismantle a deteriorated highway bridge in Ulm, Germany, lifting sections weighing up to 510 tonnes above railway tracks. The complex project required controlled dismantling under tight time constraints while rail operations were temporarily halted.
Liebherr LR 11000 Performs Complex Bridge Dismantling
A Liebherr LR 11000 crawler crane played a central role in the dismantling of a large federal highway bridge crossing railway infrastructure in Ulm, Germany.
The two-lane prestressed concrete bridge on the B10 highway had reached the end of its service life and required demolition after approximately three years of planning.
Because the bridge crossed more than 100 metres of active railway tracks and overhead power lines, conventional demolition methods such as blasting or mechanical excavation were not possible.
Instead, the structure was cut into individual segments and lifted away in a controlled manner using heavy crane technology.
Swiss heavy lifting specialist Emil Egger AG mobilised its Liebherr LR 11000 crawler crane to perform the operation.
Intensive Preparation and Round-the-Clock Lifting
Preparing the crane for the project required a significant logistical effort.
The mobilisation involved:
Around 40 heavy transport deliveries
Four days of crane assembly
Once installed near the railway corridor, the LR 11000 began round-the-clock lifting operations, dismantling the bridge structure piece by piece. Within approximately one week of continuous crane work, the entire bridge was dismantled into 52 sections.
Bridge Sections Weighing Up to 510 Tonnes
Some of the bridge segments lifted by the crane weighed up to 510 tonnes, requiring careful lift planning and accurate weight calculations.
The dismantling process followed a strict sequence:
The crawler crane first attached to the bridge segment.
Diamond-tipped wire saws cut through the concrete structure.
Once fully separated, the crane lifted the segment away.
Each cutting operation took around five hours, separating sections that measured approximately:
17 metres wide
More than 2 metres high
Accurate load calculations were critical to ensure safe lifting using the crane’s adjustable ballast configuration.
Flexible Crane Configuration for Long-Reach Lifts
The dismantling work was carried out using two crane configurations depending on the lifting distance.
For the heaviest lifts close to the crane, the LR 11000 was configured with:
84-metre lattice main boom
For bridge sections located further away, the boom was extended to:
128 metres
The crane operated with maximum ballast of up to 750 tonnes, including 450 tonnes of derrick ballast. The derrick ballast radius could be extended to 30 metres using Liebherr’s hydraulically adjustable V-Frame system. This configuration enabled the crane to safely lift large bridge segments while maintaining stability and reach.
V-Frame and VarioTray Improve Lifting Efficiency
According to Michael Egger, Managing Director of Emil Egger AG, Liebherr’s V-Frame and VarioTray systems significantly improved operational efficiency.
The adjustable derrick ballast allowed operators to handle lifts at greater radii without needing additional auxiliary cranes.
“This was particularly helpful when bringing bridge sections from a greater distance toward the crawler crane,” Egger explained.
The separable derrick ballast also eliminated the need for time-consuming reballasting procedures, allowing the crane to maintain high productivity during the demolition process.
Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 Supported Crane Operations
A Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 mobile crane also supported the project.
Initially, the mobile crane helped assemble the LR 11000 crawler crane.
Once the crawler crane began dismantling the main bridge structure, the LTM 1650-8.1 relocated to the opposite side of the railway line to dismantle an access ramp connected to the bridge. Ramp segments weighing up to 110 tonnes were removed using a similar controlled lifting and cutting method.
Next Phase of Bridge Replacement
Following the demolition of the old structure, construction of a new bridge in Ulm is scheduled to continue. The new bridge is expected to be completed next autumn, after which demolition of the opposite traffic direction bridge will begin.
At that stage, Emil Egger’s cranes are expected to return to the site to dismantle the remaining structure.
About Emil Egger AG
Emil Egger AG is a Swiss logistics and heavy lifting company specialising in crane services, heavy transport and project logistics. The company operates a large fleet of crawler cranes and mobile cranes used for infrastructure, industrial and energy sector projects across Europe.
Website: https://www.ete.ch
Frequently Asked Questions
What crane was used to dismantle the bridge in Ulm?
The demolition used a Liebherr LR 11000 crawler crane operated by Emil Egger AG.
How heavy were the bridge sections that were lifted?
Individual bridge segments weighed up to 510 tonnes.
Why was controlled dismantling required?
The bridge crossed active railway lines and overhead electrical infrastructure, preventing the use of blasting or conventional demolition methods.
What additional crane supported the project?
A Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 mobile crane assisted with crane assembly and dismantling an access ramp.
How many sections was the bridge cut into during demolition?
The bridge was cut into 52 individual sections before being lifted away.
