RTC-80130 SII builds bridge to expedite emergency services

A Link-Belt Cranes 130-ton RTC-80130 SII assisted bridge construction in northern California to expedite emergency services response times.

Working in Placerville, California, the crane built a new bridge on Mosquito Road as part of the job. Originally built in 1939 as a timber bridge, the old wooden structure will become a pedestrian bridge.

This new bridge will span approximately 1,200 feet over the south fork of the American River. The RTC-80130 SII worked on the structure’s north side because of its impressive reach and capacity at radius, lifting 7,500-pound shoring beams at a 90-foot radius.

“The reach of the RTC-80130 SII was perfect for the bridge’s north side,” said Shimmick Construction Manager Adam Almberg.

The new bridge will allow for faster transport of emergency services to nearby forested areas. The RTC-80130 first had to travel through the Eldorado National Forest just to arrive on-location to work.

Almberg said this journey through the forest lasted nearly four hours, in which time the machine handled the rough terrain without issue. He noted that most other cranes would overheat under similar circumstances.

“This crane handled nearly five miles of dirt roads and switchbacks on steep grades and long downhills,” Almberg said. “It did a great job traveling and handled better than most cranes.”

Upon completion of the bridge deck construction, Shimmick traveled the RTC-80130 approximately 10 miles off-site to deconstruct the temporary concrete batch plant used to pour the deck surface and substructure. The crane assisted with tipping the 78,000-pound batch plant for disassembly to be removed from the job site.

Almberg said the RTC-80130 was critical to managing this lift.

“There’s a lot of big pieces at the batch plant,” Almberg said. “Having the right machine for the job makes all the difference.”