Civil engineering solutions | infrastructure upgrades Cranes power
Major infrastructure projects across the globe, from the US to Austria, highlight how cranes power essential upgrades, ensuring continued energy production and environmental preservation
Right: Boldt Construction and Manitowoc helped upgrade a Minnesota dam and double its production capacity
Below left: To work against the backdrop of the Alpine panorama, the WOLFF had to first climb the difficult access road. From then on, everything went smoothly
Below right: The reservoir had accumulated a layer of sediment several meters thick, which was removed by an excavator. The WOLFF 8060.25 Cross transported the crane troughs with up to 18 tons of sediment to the deposit area
IN A SERIES OF high-profile infrastructure upgrades, cranes have played an indispensable role in enhancing energy production and supporting vital environmental projects. Boldt Construction, in collaboration with Dakota County and Xcel Energy, recently completed a significant upgrade to the historic Lake Byllesby Dam in Minnesota, while WOLFFKRAN and Kostmann GesmbH worked together on an impressive reservoir clean-up project in Austria. Additionally, the US Army Corps of Engineers has overseen a major overhaul of the Gavins Point Dam in South Dakota, involving the replacement of essential gates to ensure the dam’s continued functionality. Each project showcases the crucial role cranes play in modern engineering, from lifting heavy machinery to supporting complex logistics in difficult terrains.
Lake Byllesby Dam: doubling power
capacity with Manitowoc Cranes One of the most notable crane-assisted projects recently completed is the upgrade of the Lake Byllesby
Dam in Minnesota. Boldt Construction, in partnership with Dakota County and Xcel Energy, transformed the 114-year-old dam, doubling its energy generation capacity to 4.4MW – enough to power about 2,400 homes. The project required substantial rebuilding of the powerhouse and the installation of two new generators, each weighing more than 121,000 pounds. From the outset of the project in the spring of 2021, Boldt’s Manitowoc 2250 crawler crane played a pivotal role in the construction process. Known for its reliability, the 2250 crane handled heavy lifting and transported materials across a challenging site, confined by its proximity to both a river and a lake. Over 1.7 million pounds of concrete were removed to lay the foundation for the new powerhouse, requiring careful planning and precise execution. Boldt’s team utilised the 2250 crane to handle materials
across the challenging terrain. “The Manitowoc 2250 arrived on-site from the start, and it proved invaluable in lifting materials and positioning them in tight spaces,”
34 | March 2025 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
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