Austrian Bodner Purchases Two WOLFF Tower Cranes for Highway Bridge Reconstruction

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 14, tower crane manufacturer WOLFFKRAN announced that two large tower cranes purchased by Austrian construction contractor BODNER Group have been put into operation for the reconstruction of the Sill Bridge on the A13 Brenner Highway, namely the WOLFF 8060.25 Cross with a maximum lifting capacity of 25 tonnes and the WOLFF 8038.20 Clear with 20 tonnes. This is the first time BODNER Group has purchased and used WOLFF brand trolley jib tower cranes. The two units were installed on both sides of the Sill Gorge in summer 2025 and are currently undertaking lifting tasks for the demolition of the old bridge and the construction of the new bridge.

The WOLFF 8060.25 Cross features an 80-meter jib, a hook height of 51.7 meters, and a maximum lifting capacity of 25 tonnes; the WOLFF 8038.20 Clear is equipped with a 70-meter jib, a hook height of 37 meters, and a maximum lifting capacity of 20 tonnes. Both units are installed using foundation anchoring and are positioned on the slope areas on both sides of the gorge, providing lifting capability for bridge demolition and new construction.

The construction site is located in the Sill Gorge south of Innsbruck, where the gorge slopes are steep and space for equipment storage and tower crane assembly is limited. The foundation anchoring structures of the two tower cranes extend approximately 14 meters into the hillside, and the installation positions are approximately 20 meters below the bridge bearings. The jib of the WOLFF 8038.20 Clear was lifted in two sections, with construction personnel completing the installation from two different mobile crane positions; the larger WOLFF 8060.25 Cross was assembled using a 450-tonne class all-terrain crane.

The Sill Bridge reconstruction project is being implemented by Austrian road operator ASFINAG, with BODNER Group undertaking the construction work. The old bridge was built in the 1960s, and the project adopts a phased demolition and reconstruction approach, first handling the bridge structure leading toward Innsbruck, followed by the bridge works leading toward the Brenner Pass. The highway will remain in traffic operation throughout the entire construction period, and the project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028.

The two tower cranes mainly lift bridge formwork, concrete, construction machinery, and other on-site equipment. Because the construction area is close to the highway and surrounding traffic facilities, relevant work permits must be obtained before tower crane installation, and both units are equipped with aviation obstruction lights. WOLFFKRAN also participated in the coordination of equipment selection, layout, and installation plans.