PARK COUNTY, WY — Further supporting environmental restoration and infrastructure needs at Yellowstone National Park, Mountain Crane Service utilized three Liebherr LTM mobile crane models to support the heavy lifting needs of demolishing the decades-old Yellowstone River Bridge.
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 offers a variety of flora and fauna, as well as a hydrothermal system attracting over 4 million recreational visitors annually.
With so many visitors traveling 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 carrying 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.
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 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 chosen for the Yellowstone River Bridge demolition because of their powerful telescopic booms with easy 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.
Established over 20 years ago, Mountain Crane now offers 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. The company offers a range of rentals to meet each of their customers’ project requirements.
The new Yellowstone River Bridge represents a major investment in long-term infrastructure within the national park. Mountain Crane’s use of multiple Liebherr all-terrain cranes highlights the importance of selecting the right equipment for the job, where precise lifting capacity, reach, and maneuverability are essential to completing critical lifts safely and efficiently.
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Liebherr has a range of approximately 25 LTM cranes, from a small two-axle to the large nine-axle model. The company offers a variety of cranes that emphasize safety and reach, equipping new models with the latest technologies.
The Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 is a heavy duty crane on eight axles that can complete hoisting work in the 770-ton class or higher. 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 tons. The crane offers maneuverability and an adjustable counterweight radius. The Liebherr LTM 1400-7.1 mobile crane can also be equipped with many boom configurations, providing a solution for Mountain Crane’s various industry job sites.
