2024 - 2025

Innovative Solutions for the Construction of the Limska Draga and Mirna Viaducts in Istria

One of the most challenging projects to date.

About the project

Client
Hering d.d. Široki Brijeg

Location
Limska Draga Viaduct (Croatia) and Mirna Viaduct (Croatia – Istrian Y)

Description
The construction of the parallel viaducts Limska Draga and Mirna in Croatian Istria is one of the most challenging projects our company has undertaken to date. Despite numerous challenges, we ensured the smooth progress of construction work through well-thought-out solutions and a partnership with Wolffkran.

Year
Start: August 2024
Expected Completion: End of 2025

Link
Hering d.d.

Main Challenges and Solutions

Challenges and Solutions at the Limska Draga Viaduct

The Limska Draga Viaduct is known for its tall central pillars, exceeding a height of 105 meters. Finding suitable cranes that could operate without additional anchoring to these pillars was a major technical challenge due to this height. Anchoring would have resulted in enormous costs and extended project timelines.

Logistical challenges also required significant adjustments. During the initial assembly, access to the construction site was difficult due to the terrain and road configuration. As a result, we had to adapt transportation by using higher trucks and reloading equipment on-site.

To address these challenges, we collaborated with our partner company, WOLFFKRAN, to select two LUFFER-type cranes capable of a free-standing height of over 70 meters without additional anchoring.

The first crane was erected to a height of 75 meters with a 40-meter jib, while the second reached 72 meters with a 50-meter jib. The assembly was successfully carried out using a 300-ton mobile crane, which first lifted the cranes to a height of 40 meters. We then telescoped them to their final heights, ensuring quick and safe lifting operations.

Challenges and Solutions at the Mirna Viaduct

The Mirna Viaduct posed a completely different challenge due to unstable soil conditions. The soft and loose ground required additional measures to ensure the stability of the crane foundations. Furthermore, a high level of organizational readiness was essential, as the Potain MD208A tower cranes had to be relocated and reassembled eight times due to the length of the viaduct (23 pillars).

Our engineer, in collaboration with the client’s structural engineer, developed a solution involving the use of larger concrete slabs and piles. This combination provided the necessary strength and stability for the crane foundations, which was crucial for the safe and efficient execution of construction work.

Conclusion

In both projects, we relied on quick adaptability and effective communication with our client, Hering d.d.
Through constant on-site coordination, we jointly developed solutions that enabled smooth operations. The selection of suitable rental cranes and the adaptation of foundations at the Mirna site were crucial to the project’s success.

With this project, we demonstrated that innovative approaches, technical expertise, and responsiveness can overcome even the most challenging technical obstacles.

We provide our partners with uninterrupted workflows and ensure that the construction process is safe, fast, and reliable.