Liebherr mobile crane installs inflatable mountains on Paris' Pont-Neuf bridge

Against the backdrop of Paris, a Liebherr MK 88-4.1 mobile construction crane from the Ponticelli group of companies repaired a historic bridge and reinstalled a damaged piece of artwork. On the Pont-Neuf bridge, the crane was able to repair a damaged art installation called ‘La Caverne du Pont-Neuf,' created by French artist JR. Due to its compact design, rapid deployment, and reach, the mobile construction crane easily completed the task in the confined conditions of central Paris. 

The temporary artwork was created as a tribute to the legendary wrapping of the Pont-Neuf by artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, first installed in 1985. The inflatable structure is approximately 120 metres long. In early June, violent gusts of wind and hail damaged parts of the outer shell. Just a few hours later, French lifting and industrial services company Ponticelli developed a creative lifting solution. "We were on site just a few hours after the damage occurred to work out the best technical solution together with the client," says Louis-Arthur de Quatrebarbes, head of the handling and lifting agency at Ponticelli. "As well as repairing the tarpaulin, we had to carry out a lifting operation safely in almost constant wind and under considerable time pressure."

A Liebherr mobile crane was brought in to perform the delicate lifting job 

Being the oldest bridge in Paris, the Pont-Neuf has limited space for work and welcomes a large number of daily visitors. Load-distribution plates reduced ground pressure, while safety and traffic management measures ensured the operation could be carried out safely.

Originally, the team planned on using a larger Liebherr mobile crane. However, because of the tight conditions, the Liebherr MK 88-4.1 was moved in for the repairs. Its 45-metre-long trolley jib reached all the damaged areas of the structure, while the four-axle design enabled easy relocation from one side of the bridge to the other, where there was also storm damage. The short set-up time and compact outrigger system further facilitated the operation.

The crane cab featured an additional benefit of being able to move at working height. It provided the crane operator with a clear view of the approximately 18-metre-high structure and the rope access technicians. The boom-mounted spotlights ensured optimal illumination of the work area during night-time operations.

Combining hardware with art 

The repair work was carried out over four night shifts. Damaged fabric sections weighing between 200 and 400 kilograms were lifted and reattached in collaboration with rope access technicians. As the construction site was located in a wind corridor along the River Seine, weather conditions were continuously monitored. Communication between the crane operator and the rope access technicians took place continuously via radio.

Before work began, the team performed site inspections, load calculations, and collision analyses of the surrounding buildings. A 360-degree test subsequently confirmed the planned crane positioning.

For Ponticelli, the project was far more than a conventional lifting operation. "We are proud to have been part of this work of art. To quote JR: 'The installation of the artwork is part of the artwork' — and so is the crane," explains Louis-Arthur de Quatrebarbes. "The visually striking deployment of the MK crane created a magical moment."

With its successful deployment on the Pont-Neuf, the Liebherr MK 88-4.1 mobile construction crane demonstrated its strengths in demanding inner-city projects. Where heritage conservation, confined spaces, and a high level of precision come together, the mobile construction crane offers the right combination of reach, compactness, and flexibility.