Bridge construction in a bottleneck: Liebherr cranes provide support on the Swiss N16 national road

The N16 national road, also known as the Transjurane, connects the canton of Jura with the Swiss Mittelland, passing through the Bernese Jura. As part of its ongoing infrastructure preservation efforts, the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) has commissioned Walo Bertschinger AG to replace one bridge and construct a new one between Tavannes and Biel. The location in the valley allows only a limited number of lorry deliveries per day, meaning that every lift must be planned precisely. Since July 2024, seven Liebherr cranes have been handling the logistics of materials and components on the construction site under these conditions.

Crane operations across several construction phases

For the first bridge, D19, a 270 EC-B 12, a 90 EC-B 6 and a 65 K self-erecting crane were in use between 2024 and 2025. An L1-32 was also deployed for the D333 span in 2024. During the construction of the second D19A bridge, a 270 EC-B 12 and a 90 EC-B 6 will once again be deployed from 2025 to 2026, supplemented by a 81 K self-erecting crane.

As the bridges are being constructed using in-situ concrete, the cranes play a central role in material and component logistics. The focus is on the precise installation of the steel girders for the falsework and the timber formwork systems, the positioning of the reinforcing bars, and the hoisting of auxiliary and assembly structures. A particular challenge was the erection of the falsework – the temporary steel structure that supports the bridge section whilst the concrete is being poured. Spanning 22 metres, this falsework had to be erected without any additional support in the centre.

Work whilst rail and road traffic continues

The construction site is directly adjacent to the operational railway line and the N16 motorway. In the track area, the operating methods and reach of the cranes had to be adapted to the operational and safety requirements of SBB Rail, including the use of a telescopic crane on the track. Parts of the work are taking place under strict safety protocols, including night-time and weekend closures. This is complemented by exposed concrete work using bespoke formwork, as well as small and large-scale drilling operations both within and outside the track and carriageway areas.

“On a construction site bordered by a railway line and a motorway, every movement counts. With the Liebherr tower cranes, we can position the structural elements precisely and safely even under these cramped conditions and keep to our construction schedule as planned,” says Antonio D’Onofrio, Project Manager, ppa. at Ingenieurbau West, Walo Bertschinger AG.