When the Hangar Bridge was to be lifted into place at Leangen Station in Trondheim, it was Nordic Crane that handled the heavy lifting. The preassembled pedestrian and bicycle bridge — 55 meters long and weighing 70 tons — was swung over the railway tracks and positioned with surgical precision in a single lift.

The lift was carried out using Nordic Crane’s 650-ton crawler crane, a Tadano CC38.650. The entire operation was completed within a short “train-free” window.

Our “green lady” carefully lifted the 70-ton bridge over the railway tracks, and crane operator Viktor Berggren placed it with millimeter precision. Such lifts require coordination and experience — between all parties involved.

The Hangar Bridge is not just a lift, but part of something bigger: a research project under the Norwegian Public Roads Administration’s FjordX program. The bridge is built from recycled aluminum sourced from the Gyda oil platform and equipped with sensors to collect data on load, movement, and weather conditions. This makes it both a symbol and a testbed for the bridges of the future.

Nordic Crane is proud to contribute to projects where both technical precision and sustainability are key.

In 2024, a large-scale development began in Kjelsås, where nearly 80 new care homes will be built by Oslobygg and Ruta Entreprenør. To make the project possible, it was necessary to relocate a historic Swiss-style villa from the early 1900s. The villa, which had previously served as a police station, had to be preserved in its entirety during the move – a task requiring both precision and advanced technology.

The Moving Process – Precision and Advanced Technique
The work began by cutting precise openings in the foundation to place eight sturdy crossbeams. These created a strong and secure frame structure, crucial for both transport and lifting of the building. Excavation beneath the villa was also required to create working space and room for two sets of SPMTs.

Once the crossbeams were installed, two longitudinal beams were mounted, and the entire house was carefully jacked up. This allowed the SPMTs to drive underneath the villa and take over the full weight of approximately 160 tons. The villa was then transported about 100 meters to its new foundation, which was nearly four meters higher than the original site.

To handle this significant height difference, four JS250 jacking towers were strategically placed at each corner under the building. These towers lifted the villa in a controlled manner to the correct height. At the same time, a stable and secure platform of timber mats was built on the SPMTs. Once the desired height was reached, the SPMTs again took the load and gently lowered the building onto its new foundation.

Technical Overview:

• House weight: approx. 160 tons
• SPMT configuration: 2 x 10L SPMT
• Jacking equipment: 4 x JS250 jacking towers

With the successful execution of this demanding operation, both historic preservation and the continued development of modern care housing in Kjelsås are ensured.

This article has been translated by AI.

Early in the morning on March 31, 2025, two 250-ton mobile cranes from Nordic Crane were ready to move a piece of Stavanger’s city history: a 19-ton concrete wall featuring a relief by Andreas Bøe. First, the cranes lifted the artwork into the new Nytorget 1, followed by a large glass roof to protect it from the elements.

Millimeter Precision
The lift took one and a half hours from the initial rig to the wall being in place. With just five millimeters of clearance for the mounting, there was no room for error. The operation was planned over several weeks:

• Crane operators: Andre Larsen and Kristian Lorentzen Mansåker
• Equipment: Two 250 t mobile cranes, specially designed shackles and straps
• Crew: Several experts from Nordic Crane participated in the planning and execution

After the relief was installed, the second lift followed: a large glass roof to cover the atrium above the artwork.

Important Cultural Heritage
The relief had adorned the lobby of Stavanger Police Headquarters for many years. When the entire block was set to be demolished, the wall was carefully cut out and stored in a climate-controlled container, awaiting a new home. That home will now be Mediebyen, and the artwork will serve as a visual highlight for employees and visitors alike when the building is completed in 2026.

“This was definitely an exciting project, which required more than just lifting capacity. Careful planning was essential—both in terms of safety and execution,” said regional manager Tom Helge Espeland at Nordic Crane.

Teamwork at Height
While one crane lifted the wall from the container, the other swung in overhead and took over the load mid-air. The transfer happened while the concrete wall was suspended three meters above ground.

“We often perform heavy lifts, but rarely with both cultural heritage status and five-millimeter clearance,” Espeland added. “That’s when you need to trust both the equipment and each other.”

Ready for the Next Stage
With the relief and glass roof safely in place, the building shell continues to rise. By spring 2026, Nytorget 1 will host open editorial environments, TV studios, and public spaces. For Nordic Crane, the assignment confirmed its role as a specialist in precision lifts in dense urban environments.

Nordic Crane recently participated in an exciting and challenging project as part of Västlänken in Gothenburg. The project involved the installation of the impressive artwork bLink, which has already received significant attention as the most visible element of the project – both from the E6 highway and the railway.

The bLink artwork, valued at 35 million SEK, is not only large but also has a shape that makes lifting with a mobile crane particularly challenging. With a tricky center of gravity (COG) and asymmetric connection points, it required specialized expertise and the right equipment. Nordic Crane deployed a 550-ton crane and advanced technology, including air hoists with digital weight sensors connected to a main computer, to ensure maximum control and stability during the lift.

Wind conditions also played a crucial role, with a maximum allowable wind speed of 7.4 m/s. The Nordic Crane team had to wait for the perfect weather window to safely carry out the operation.

Professional team
A project like this requires skilled professionals, and Nordic Crane assembled an experienced team:

• Crane Operator LTM 1650: Jörgen Kristiansson
• Crane Operator LTM 1300: Matts Torkelsson
• Crane Operator LTM 1095: Robert Lindblom
• Lifting Manager and Rigging Supervisor: Gunnar Sundqvist

Together, they ensured that bLink was placed in its final position, much to the satisfaction of the Västlänken project and the public.

Read more about the artwork here: bLink Statens Konstråd

The text has been translated using AI.

The Borregaard factory in Sarpsborg is one of the world’s leading biorefineries. By utilizing natural, renewable raw materials, Borregaard produces advanced and environmentally friendly biochemicals that can replace oil-based products.

When a 160-meter-long chip channel used for wood chip transport needed to be replaced in October, Nordic Crane was the obvious partner for the job.

The chip channel is a crucial part of Borregaard’s infrastructure. Without it in operation, production would also come to a halt. Therefore, it was essential that the dismantling and installation of the new channel happened quickly when the replacement took place.

Large Team on Site
As it wasn’t possible to assemble or weld directly on the channel, the Nordic Crane team had to come up with a functional solution. By building two lifting platforms measuring 10×4 meters, they were able to support the sections during dismantling by lifting from underneath the channel without requiring welding or bolting.

– The first phase of planning began back in January 2024. We deployed a team of 30 people and seven cranes. In addition, the specialized transport division assisted with the transportation of both the old and new channel, while the Heavy Lift division contributed with two SPMT units, Johannessen explains.

The dismantling began on October 14, and a new channel was in place by October 18.

When a crew wagon got stuck in the support wire during maintenance work on the Bømla Bridge in Sunnhordaland, Nordic Crane was contacted to rescue the wagon quickly and effectively. However, the task was complex due to several factors, but with good cooperation across departments, we overcame the challenges.

The Bømla Bridge is a suspension bridge measuring 988 meters, with a free span of 577 meters and a tower height of 105 meters. Suspension bridges along the coast are exposed to damage due to moisture and saltwater. Weather, wind, salt spray, and temperature changes quickly lead to rust and other wear problems on the bridges. To prevent this, crew wagons are attached to the wires, where they install dehumidifiers, among other things.

When one of these wagons got stuck during maintenance work, Nordic Crane was assigned the task of safely bringing it down to the ground again.

– At Nordic Crane, we are fortunate to have departments that work closely together. Engineering, in particular, helped us a lot this time. Together with the customer, we came up with a solution that met all requirements.

After thorough preparations, including laying gravel as a base for support legs, measuring points, and placing timber mats, one of our 250-tonners, a Grove GMK5250XL-1, was finally able to lift down the 16-ton wagon.

Effective planning and excellent execution by our fantastic employees ensured that traffic on the bridge was up and running again in no time!

This text is translated by AI.

At Nordic Crane, HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) is a priority all 52 weeks of the year, but each year we dedicate a special week to highlight selected topics and strengthen safety awareness. This tradition contributes to continuous improvement and gives us the opportunity to dive deeper into specific areas requiring extra attention. This year, we are particularly focused on fall prevention, aiming to reduce the risk of injuries and accidents related to falls. “I secure myself against falling” is one of our eight Life Saving Rules.

Close Contact on the Job Site
A key element of HSE Week is meeting our employees where they are—on-site, with our customers. This not only creates closer dialogue with our employees, but also with our customers and partners. Collaboration and mutual trust are vital in working together to achieve a zero-injury workday. This understanding also motivates our participation in the “Collaboration for Safety in the Construction and Civil Engineering Industry” (SfS BA), which offers the important “Fareblind” course. The course is mandatory for all Nordic Crane employees and is required for access to most construction and civil engineering sites in Norway.

A Holistic Approach to HSE
With the launch of our digital safety manual, SAFETY, there was discussion about renaming HSE Week to Safety Week. However, we chose to keep the HSE designation to emphasize the importance of both health and environment, in addition to safety. The week includes activities that promote a strong work environment and enhance team spirit. We believe that the best way to build a safety culture is through personal contact and collaboration – both internally and with external partners. By working together and taking shared ownership of processes, we achieve the best results.

Lessons from This Year’s HSE Week
HSE Week is designed to take place alongside near-normal operations. It’s important for us to maintain our high level of service to customers, as we understand there are expectations for crane operations and transportation to proceed as planned. This year’s program was well-balanced, allowing us to focus on important HSE initiatives, which will be followed up and further developed, including at our upcoming Safety Seminar. Several initiatives were launched that will contribute to continuous improvement moving forward.

Stagnation is Regression
In HSE work, it’s essential never to settle for “good enough.” Risks constantly evolve, and new barriers and measures must be developed to address these challenges. We are convinced that the path to a zero-injury workday lies in continuous learning, experience-sharing, and improvement. It is our responsibility to always focus on how we can “do even better tomorrow,” ensuring that everyone comes home safely – every day, for life.

Nordic Crane Leading the Way
Through our focus on continuous development, collaboration, and improvement, we ensure that HSE work at Nordic Crane not only keeps up with industry standards but also leads the way in safety efforts. Our goal is clear: No injuries, no accidents – a safe workday for all our employees and partners.

At Nordic Crane, we work toward a sustainable future. Last summer, we helped build Sweden’s first wooden wind turbine with our 250-tonne all-electric crawler crane.

The benefits of wood
Using wood instead of steel for wind turbines can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 90%, because wood as a material binds carbon dioxide.

Our groundbreaking project used the world’s first electric crawler crane, the Liebherr LR 1250 Unplugged. This 100% electric crane can lift up to 250 tonnes.

Innovative solutions and collaboration

The 105-metre-high wooden tower is one of the world’s tallest wooden structures. “Operating large tower modules in wood requires innovative thinking to meet the new challenges that arise in the grey-zone between steel and wood,” explains project manager Peder Åsen from Nordic Crane.

“Each tower consists of seven sections of 14 meters, where each section is composed of 28 modules of 12 tonnes, so the dimensions are large,” he continues. Nordic Crane accepted the challenge and contributed with everything from cranes – to design of lifting points and developing work methods. We were involved from the get-go and participated in weekly meetings since 2022, where we contributed ideas and designed lifting equipment together with our engineering department.

At Nordic Crane, development is a crucial part of our identity. In the Carlberg tunnel, which is part of the new 10 km long double track that Bane NOR (link) and MossIA (link) are building between Sandbukta-Moss-Såstad, we have recently tested our brand-new jacking system, Enerpac JS250.

In the Carlberg tunnel, this unique system is used as part of the preparations for casting the finished tunnel profile. The jacking-stations are fed with “cassettes”, which are “lifted” up to the desired height. Each jack takes 250 tons and can be raised 10 meters without difficulty.

The system offers several advantages:

• Greater efficiency compared to traditional jacking-systems.
• Greater control regarding weight/pressure and lift (stroke-controlled system).
• The system is electric, and you avoid large diesel generators and hydraulic hoses.

On this project, Simon, Marit and Aleksander operated as jack managers. Aleksander was supervisor and controlled the computer systems, while Marit and Simon monitored jacks, prepared the intermediate steps, and arranged for “cassettes”.

Watch a video of the project.

In parallel with the existing Grenland Bridge outside Porsgrunn, a completely new bridge is currently being built that will become part of the new four-lane road on the E18 between Langang and Rugtvedt, which stands to be completed in 2025.  

The new bridge will be built in the same way as the old one, which is Norway’s tallest cable-stayed bridge with a tower height of 166 meters. Nordic Crane is involved in the project and, for instance, were deeply involved in the installation of tower cranes earlier this autumn. 

The most challenging aspect of this particular installation was the terrain. Here, the terrain shifts a lot in height, and there is therefore no natural parking space for a large 500t mobile crane. The solution was to place the equipment on plateaus. You can see more of this in the film below. 

Ola Westerling and Oskar Nilsson were in place as crane operators.