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Liebherr cranes support major Ulm bridge replacement

Seven Liebherr tower cranes supplied by Nagel Mietservice GmbH are playing a key role in the replacement of the Wallstraßenbrücke in Ulm, Germany, as part of the multi-year B10 reconstruction project.

The bridge, one of Ulm's busiest transport links, carries the B10 federal highway over Kienlesbergstraße and 14 live railway lines. Originally built between 1967 and 1969, it is being completely replaced in a project due for completion in summer 2029.

The works are being carried out by the ARGE B10 consortium, comprising Matthäus Schmid Bauunternehmung GmbH & Co. KG and LEONHARD WEISS GmbH & Co. KG, with Nagel Mietservice responsible for the crane concept, technical planning and project management.

Two Liebherr 520 EC-B 20 Fibre flat-top cranes form the backbone of the lifting operation. Installed in March 2026, one features an 80m jib, 52m hook height and 20-tonne lifting capacity, allowing it to cover the main construction area and handle heavy lifts, including reinforcement cages and formwork sections between the live railway lines. The second crane, equipped with a 60m jib and 35m hook height, supports faster material handling across the busier sections of the site.

Both cranes utilise Liebherr's Fibre rope technology, replacing traditional steel ropes with high-performance fibre ropes. The lighter ropes increase lifting capacity by up to 40% compared with equivalent steel-rope cranes, while also reducing maintenance requirements. Liebherr says the ropes have a service life of up to 14 years, with most damage repairable on site without full replacement.

Supporting the two main cranes is a Liebherr 202 EC-B flat-top crane, installed in April, alongside a Liebherr 81 K self-erecting crane and three Liebherr 81 K.1 self-erecting cranes operated by LEONHARD WEISS. These machines are responsible for material distribution, reinforcement work and site logistics, offering rapid installation and efficient handling within confined working areas.

Working above 14 active railway tracks and alongside one of the region's busiest roads, where around 86,000 vehicles pass each day, demands exceptional accuracy and safety. The combination of heavy-duty flat-top cranes and compact self-erecting models provides comprehensive site coverage, allowing both major lifts and day-to-day material handling to be carried out efficiently throughout the project.