Vienna, Austria-headquartered crane rental provider Prangl has completed the installation of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Traisen River in Herzogenburg, Austria, using a 700t telescopic crane to position the structure linking the town with the Ossarn district.
The lift finalised work on the replacement of an 1885 bridge that authorities had chosen to dismantle due to its outdated condition.
The new Ossarn Bridge was constructed as a cantilever design, which does not require supports within the river, following a decision by the municipality that refurbishment of the old bridge was not a viable option.
To prepare for the operation the Prangl team widened and reinforced access routes to the riverbank and removed several trees.
Workers also put in place concrete foundations at the water’s edge to support the heavy lifting equipment.
The bridge arrived at the site in multiple sections which the company unloaded with a loader crane rated for 73m tonnes.
An 80t telescopic crane and a telehandler were then used to assemble the bridge’s main components.
Following assembly, the completed bridge measured 50m in length and weighed 39t.
Prangl brought in its most powerful 700t telescopic crane for the lifting phase, configuring it with a main boom and 135t of ballast.
Workers attached slings to the structure and the crane operator then raised the bridge, rotated it 90 degrees to cross the Traisen, and set it onto the newly built supports.
The new bridge has reopened a key route for pedestrians and cyclists between Herzogenburg and Ossarn and now forms part of the Traisental cycle network as well as the local Way of St James.
The bridge offers an alternative to the main roads, supporting local connectivity and traffic flow.
