Link-Belt RTC-80130 SII works on remote Mosquito Road bridge
30-Second Takeaway
A Link-Belt RTC-80130 SII rough-terrain crane is supporting construction of the new Mosquito Road bridge near Placerville, California. Shimmick Construction deployed the 130-US-tonne crane on the project’s north side, where restricted access and long lifting radii shaped the crane selection. It lifted 7,500-pound shoring beams at a 90-foot radius and travelled nearly five miles over forest roads to reach the site. After bridge deck work, the crane moved about 10 miles to tip a 78,000-pound temporary concrete batch plant for dismantling and removal. The new bridge will span about 1,200 feet across the South Fork of the American River and is intended to improve emergency access to surrounding forest areas.
Long-radius lifts on the bridge’s north side
Shimmick Construction deployed the Link-Belt RTC-80130 SII on the northern side of the Mosquito Road bridge project. The crane’s position, distance from the lifting points and access restrictions required a combination of lifting capacity, reach and rough-terrain mobility.
During bridge construction, the crane lifted 7,500-pound shoring beams at a 90-foot radius.
“The reach of the RTC-80130 SII was perfect for the bridge’s north side,”
said Adam Almberg, construction manager at Shimmick.
The RTC-80130 SII is a 130-US-tonne rough-terrain crane with a five-section telescopic boom that extends to 162 feet. Its design supports lifting work on sites where access and ground conditions can limit equipment positioning.
Nearly five miles through the forest to reach the site
Getting the crane to the bridge was a significant part of the operation. It travelled for almost four hours through the Eldorado National Forest, covering nearly five miles of dirt roads, switchbacks, steep gradients and long downhill sections.
“This crane handled nearly five miles of dirt roads and switchbacks on steep grades and long downhills. It did a great job travelling and handled better than most cranes,” Almberg said.
After completing work on the bridge deck, the crane travelled approximately 10 miles to the project’s temporary concrete batch plant. There, it tipped the 78,000-pound plant to allow it to be dismantled and removed from the site.
Bridge project to improve emergency access
The new bridge will span approximately 1,200 feet across the South Fork of the American River near Placerville. The project is intended to improve emergency access to surrounding forest areas. The original timber Mosquito Road bridge, built in 1939, will remain in place and be converted for pedestrian use.
About Shimmick Construction
Shimmick is a heavy civil construction company working on infrastructure projects across the United States. Its work includes projects in water resources, transportation, energy and other critical infrastructure sectors. The company is constructing the new Mosquito Road bridge.
View website: https://www.shimmick.com/
About Link-Belt Cranes
Link-Belt Cranes designs and manufactures telescopic and lattice-boom cranes, including rough-terrain, all-terrain and crawler models. The RTC-80130 SII is part of its rough-terrain crane range, with a 130-US-tonne rated capacity and a five-section boom reaching 162 feet.
View website: https://www.linkbelt.com/
Frequently Asked Questions
What work is the RTC-80130 SII performing on the bridge project?
It has lifted 7,500-pound shoring beams at a 90-foot radius on the bridge’s north side.
How did the crane reach the project site?
It travelled nearly five miles through the Eldorado National Forest over dirt roads, switchbacks, steep grades and extended downhill sections. The journey took almost four hours.
What did the crane do at the temporary batch plant?
After travelling about 10 miles from the bridge deck, it tipped the 78,000-pound concrete batch plant so it could be dismantled and removed.
What will happen to the original Mosquito Road bridge?
The 1939 timber bridge will remain in place and be converted for pedestrian use.
