Three's Company

Why It Matters

The use of a high‑capacity all‑terrain crane cut setup time and avoided extensive matting, accelerating a critical infrastructure upgrade that supports regional commerce and interstate travel.

Key Takeaways

• 550‑ton Liebherr AT crane enabled rapid beam placement
• Dual‑pick method reduced setup time versus crawler cranes
• Temporary causeway allowed safe crawler operation 65 ft below bridge
• Nine 143,500‑lb beams installed in one day
• Project replaces 1961 bridges on three interstate corridors

Pulse Analysis

The I‑39/90/94 corridor is a vital transportation artery linking Madison to Portage, carrying millions of vehicles annually across three intersecting interstates. Replacing the 1961‑era bridges is essential not only for safety but also to accommodate growing freight demand and future traffic volumes. Wisconsin’s DOT classified the project as complex due to the need to keep traffic moving while constructing new spans alongside existing structures, a challenge that demands precise engineering and logistical coordination.

A key differentiator in the project was the strategic deployment of Dawes Rigging & Crane Rental’s Liebherr LTM 1450‑8.1 all‑terrain crane. Unlike traditional crawler cranes, the AT model can be positioned directly on the new abutment, eliminating the time‑consuming assembly of massive tracks and the extensive matting required to protect fresh pavement. This flexibility allowed a dual‑pick technique, where the AT crane and a nearby crawler each lifted opposite ends of 140‑foot, 143,500‑lb concrete beams, placing all nine beams in a single day. The temporary causeway built by Kraemer further enabled crawlers to operate safely 65 feet below the bridge deck, showcasing innovative site‑specific solutions.

The successful integration of specialized crane services illustrates a broader industry shift toward modular, rapid‑deployment equipment for large‑scale infrastructure projects. By reducing mobilization days and minimizing disruption to existing traffic, the approach delivers cost savings and accelerates project timelines—critical factors for state agencies facing tight budgets and public pressure for timely delivery. As more transportation corridors undergo similar upgrades, the partnership model demonstrated here may become a benchmark for efficient bridge construction across the United States.