Lifting Progress: How Cranes Are Powering Global Infrastructure Transformation
From North America to the heart of Europe, cranes are proving themselves as the unsung heroes behind some of the world’s most ambitious infrastructure upgrades. Beyond the steel and concrete, these towering machines are tackling immense logistical challenges, enabling cleaner energy, and reinforcing vital environmental infrastructure. Let’s take a look at three standout projects where cranes weren’t just part of the team, they were the backbone.
Minnesota’s Lake Byllesby Dam: Doubling Power, Raising Standards
In Minnesota, the century-old Lake Byllesby Dam got a much-needed overhaul thanks to a powerful duo of Manitowoc crawler cranes, a 2250 owned by Boldt Construction and a rented MLC300 VPC-MAX. Partnering with Dakota County and Xcel Energy, Boldt’s team demolished aging structures, constructed a new powerhouse, and installed two massive generators. The result? A doubling of the dam’s capacity to 4.4 megawatts, enough to power roughly 2,400 homes.
Despite a tricky site flanked by a river and lake, the cranes delivered reliable performance. Heavy lifts and tight positioning were managed with precision, proving once again that smart equipment combined with skilled operators is a formula for success.
Roßwiese Reservoir, Austria: High-Altitude Heavy Lifting
In Austria, the Roßwiese reservoir required an extensive sediment removal operation to protect its hydropower potential. VERBUND Hydro Power GmbH brought in WOLFFKRAN and Kostmann GesmbH, who responded with one of their most powerful machines, the WOLFF 8060.25 Cross.
Perched at an elevation of 1,200 meters, access to the site was anything but straightforward. A six-kilometer forest road with ten hairpin turns tested transport logistics, but once assembled, the crane moved nearly 20,000 cubic meters of sediment in less than a month. This project showcased not only lifting power but also the importance of agility and planning in remote environments.
Gavins Point Dam, South Dakota: Ensuring the Next 50 Years of Hydropower
Back in the U.S., the Gavins Point Dam underwent a historic upgrade, the replacement of six 38,000-pound bulkhead gates, critical to the dam’s hydroelectric operations since its construction in 1957. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers coordinated the project, relying on a mix of gantry and mobile cranes to remove and replace the gates one by one.
With these new gates, the dam is now equipped to undergo annual maintenance safely and continue generating electricity for more than 68,000 homes, a testament to the long-term value of precision crane work in safeguarding energy infrastructure.
These incredible feats of engineering highlight not just the mechanical strength of cranes, but their pivotal role in achieving environmental and energy goals across the globe. If you’re in the business of lifting, building, or engineering the future, you won’t want to miss Crane Expo 2025, happening November 27–29, 2025, at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.
From cutting-edge crane technologies to insights from industry pioneers, this premier event will be the hub of innovation, networking, and inspiration for the infrastructure leaders of tomorrow.
Don’t miss the lift, be part of Crane Expo 2025.
