Three Liebherr LTM mobile cranes support bridge demolition in Yellowstone’s rugged wilderness

Supporting environmental restoration and infrastructure enhancements at Yellowstone National Park, Mountain Crane Service utilized three Liebherr LTM mobile crane models to meet the heavy lifting needs of demolishing the decades-old Yellowstone River Bridge.

Liebherr machines were brought in to manage critical infrastructure 

Known as the first national park in the United States, Yellowstone National Park spans approximately 3,460 square miles throughout Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. The park features a variety of flora and fauna, as well as a hydrothermal system that attracts over 4 million recreational visitors annually.

With so many visitors travelling through the park each year, managing road infrastructure is critical to maintaining the traffic flow through the natural surroundings, including the installation of the new Yellowstone River Bridge that carries traffic across one of the park's most critical corridors. With the new crossing officially open, crews shifted their focus to the final phase of the project, demolition of the original bridge.

Challenging picks in rugged terrain

Located near Tower Junction along the Northeast Entrance Road, the new Yellowstone River Bridge replaced the original, deteriorating bridge constructed over 60 years ago.

During the demolition process, Mountain Crane provided vital heavy lifting and rigging support for RLW Construction in one of the most challenging environments in the Mountain West. 

Utilizing their Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1, LTM 1400-7.1, and LTM 1110-5.1, the mobile cranes helped crews safely complete critical picks in tight working areas, including carefully dismantling the original structure piece by piece, beginning with the concrete deck before removing steel and concrete support elements.

The demolition process was completed in multiple stages designed to protect the surrounding river ecosystem and maintain high safety standards in the steep canyon terrain.

Liebherr mobile cranes were the ideal choice for the Yellowstone River Bridge demolition, combining telescopic booms with simple transport to support efficient setup and precise lifting in a challenging terrain. Their ability to reach varying working heights quickly, along with a wide range of configurations, provided Mountain Crane with the versatility needed for the demo project.

Many Liebherr all-terrain cranes are also equipped with advanced safety features such as VarioBase, VarioBallast, and the LICCON crane control system, enhancing operator safety and operational efficiency.

The project also included environmental restoration of the surrounding corridor, including former roadway sections, rehabilitation of nearby wetlands, and returning portions of Lost Creek to a more natural channel once demolition was fully completed.

Mountain Crane Services

Established over 20 years ago, Mountain Crane has become one of the top crane companies in the country, offering over 100 cranes in their full-service fleet. The Utah-based company currently supports heavy lifting and rigging services as well as heavy transport for wind, industrial, and general construction applications. Offering a huge range of rentals to meet each of its customers' project requirements, Mountain Crane continues to be a major leader in the industry, setting itself apart with major lifts, including the Yellowstone bridge demolition.

With a range of approximately 25 LTM cranes, from a small two-axle to the large nine-axle model, Liebherr offers the right crane for every job, emphasizing safety and reach, as well as equipping new models with the latest technologies.

The Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 is the ultimate heavy-duty crane on eight axles that can complete hoisting work in the 770-US-ton class (700 tonne) or even higher with ease. It offers a wide range of set-up configurations, making it versatile for various project sites.

The Liebherr LTM 1400-7.1 is a seven-axle mobile crane that delivers a maximum lifting capacity of 500 US tons (400 tonnes). The crane offers easy manoeuvrability and an adjustable counterweight radius. The Liebherr LTM 1400-7.1 mobile crane can also be equipped with many boom configurations.

The Liebherr LTM 1110-5.1 mobile crane is a five-axle model that was designed as a lightweight option for flexible and economic transport. This crane also comes equipped with a VarioBase variable support base that generates higher lifting capacities in the areas above the outriggers. These attributes make it easy to transport, but also offer more powerful lifts.