Two Potain MCT 560 M25 topless tower cranes are playing a key role in the construction of the Shituo Yangtze River Bridge in Chongqing, China, a major infrastructure project that is set to establish four world records when completed.
The cranes are being used to construct the bridge’s 253m-tall south tower, operating at heights of around 285m above the Yangtze River. Their ability to handle heavy components at high working heights is supporting the construction programme for the bridge, which forms part of the Chongqing-Wanzhou High-Speed Railway.
Once complete, the Shituo Yangtze River Bridge will become the world’s longest road-rail cable-stayed bridge with a split main span. Its other engineering milestones include the tallest twin-connected towers on a bridge, the first twin-tower cable-stayed bridge designed to carry both road and rail traffic, and the first split main-beam bridge with the main beams positioned at the same deck level.
The project is being constructed to an ambitious 30-month schedule, placing particular demands on the lifting equipment required for the bridge’s towers and deck structures.
High-altitude lifting
The two Potain cranes are handling steel reinforcement, formwork and other large components during construction of the south tower. Their climbing capability allows them to rise with the structure as the tower increases in height, reducing disruption to lifting operations as work progresses.
The MCT 560 M25 has a maximum lifting capacity of 25t and can lift 4t at the tip of its 80m jib. On the Shituo project, the cranes are also operating in conditions where wind speeds can reach 20m/s.
The combination of lifting capacity, working radius and climbing performance is particularly important for a project in which construction activity is taking place hundreds of metres above the river.
“The Potain MCT 560 M25 delivers outstanding performance at height, climbing to over 200 m with a 25 t maximum capacity,” said Leo Qian, marketing manager for Manitowoc China. “These characteristics make it well suited to the demands of high-altitude operations and heavy component handling on the Shituo Yangtze River Bridge, providing reliable performance to complete this demanding project.”
The cranes are supported by Manitowoc’s customer support centre in Zhangjiagang and its network of technicians across China, providing parts and maintenance support during the project.
Proven equipment
The two cranes are owned by Chongqing Haohai Construction Equipment Leasing, which purchased them in 2020. Their deployment on the Shituo project follows four years of continuous operation on the Taiziping Wujiang River Bridge project between 2020 and 2024.
That previous experience was a factor in the decision to deploy the machines on the Shituo Yangtze River Bridge, where their established performance record is being applied to another complex bridge construction programme.
“We believed that the cranes would be particularly well suited to the Shituo Yangtze River Bridge because of their high working height and their ability to continue climbing beyond 200 m. They also offer an impressive lifting capacity and deliver reliable performance in challenging conditions,” said Jin Zhongxue, general manager, Chongqing Haohai Construction Equipment.
The Shituo Yangtze River Bridge is expected to open at the end of 2026. Once operational, it will form part of the Chongqing-Wanzhou High-Speed Railway and provide a major road and rail crossing over the Yangtze River, while setting new benchmarks for the design and construction of road-rail cable-stayed bridges.
