New Fjord crossing

E D Knutsen Maskin AS has supplied three Liebherr 280 EC-H 16 Litronic tower cranes to build the Hardanger Bridge, featuring a clearance of 55 m, across Norway's second largest fjord.

Spanning 1.3 km, it will be the country's longest suspension bridge and the world's seventh longest. With the associated 2.4 km tunnel and 800 m of road between the tunnel and the bridge, the development will replace the existing ferry service between Brurvik and Brimnes and is scheduled for completion in 2013.

The concrete works, including the towers, were awarded to domestic contractor Veidekke Entreprenor, while the steel deck and cable works went to MT Hojgaard, in Denmark. The tunnels are being built by AF Skandinavia.

The total length of the Hardanger Bridge is 1.38 km with the 70 m difference between the bridge length and span due to the steep sides of the fjord, and the subsequent need for the towers to stand close to the shore.

Knut Haugmo of E D Knutsen Maskin, based in Norway, said the three Liebherr 280 EC-H 16 Litronic tower cranes were selected for their ease of erection in the difficult terrain and their high-load, fast-lift capacity. The 16 tonne capacity cranes can lift 3.1 tonnes at the end of a 70 m jib.

"Two of the cranes will be used for assembling the towers and will be fastened to the side of the structure, giving them an eventual 200 m hook height," Haugmo explained. "The third crane, which is being installed later during the project, on the south side, will function at its designed height of 86.8 m and will be used for lifting materials associated with the road, tollway system and tunnel."