Potain tower cranes have been instrumental in the construction of Vancouver’s Broadway Subway Project, a $3-billion infrastructure initiative that extends the reach of the city’s SkyTrain service.
The five crane fleet includes one MDT 389 L16 and four MDT 219 J10s, and they are supporting the building of new subway stations and other key infrastructure elements along the route.
In Vancouver, the Mayors’ Council and TransLink identified the Millennium Line SkyTrain Extension to UBC (UBCx) as one of the region’s 10-year priorities to delivering the city’s 30-year regional transportation strategy.
The 5.7-km extension of the Millennium Line promises fast and frequent SkyTrain service to several destinations, including British Columbia’s second-largest job market, major healthcare facilities, an emerging innovation hub and residential communities.
It’s set to open in 2027 and will feature six new underground stations along the Broadway Corridor. Potain dealer Cropac Equipment provided the cranes, which have been operational since April 2022.
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“The cranes’ performance have exceeded expectations, providing the contractor with the confidence and reliability required for a high-visibility project of this magnitude,” said Pavel Jamro, Business Development Manager at Cropac Equipment.
“The project has reinforced Potain’s reputation for solid performance in critical infrastructure projects.”
Both types of Potain cranes on site are topless, enabling a variety of setups along the corridor.
The MDT 389 L16 is a high-capacity crane with a 16 tonne capacity and a 75 metre maximum radius. The MDT 219 J10 is a medium-sized crane that excels in urban lifting and has a 10 tonne capacity with a 65 metre maximum radius.
The CCS (Crane Control System) has enabled ease of use and familiarity for operators, even for complex multi-crane installations. Assembly, erection, transport and maintenance phases are all optimized for productivity.
Cropac selected these cranes for their precision, durability and efficiency. After nearly three years of continuous construction, they have performed with almost no downtime. Their seamless operation has been supported by Cropac Equipment’s service team, ensuring uninterrupted progress on the project.
