Case Study: Download
Location: Lincoln, NE
Type: Municipal Water Transmission
Total Contractors: 5
Weight Lifted: 576,000 lbs
Cranes On-site:
2 Crawler Cranes
6 All Terrain Cranes
Total: 8
The city of Lincoln, Nebraska, officially began construction on its $36 million Water 2.0 initiative in August 2025. The initiative sought to strengthen the reliability of the city’s water system by connecting Lincoln’s current main source of water, the Platte River, with the Missouri River through a 54-inch water pipeline underneath the Platte River. When the city contracted Michels Trenchless, an energy and infrastructure solutions provider, to help with the job, the team at Michels knew they would need lift support from an experienced, well-resourced lifting services company. That’s when they called Maxim Crane.
Placing a pipeline underneath a thriving river that serves as the main source of clean water for the city of Lincoln is no small order. Firstly, the precision needed to guide the pipeline underground posed an immediate challenge. Working directly under a significant natural resource, minimizing ecological impact was another main concern, as was creating minimal disturbance to the citizens of Lincoln during construction.
This lift required supreme accuracy, months of disciplined planning, and the use of Maxim’s vast resources to get the job done. In the end, eight Maxim cranes worked simultaneously to lift the 288-ton water pipeline 30 feet off the ground, then ease it underground at the exact right angle. Maxim provided quality cranes, top-tier engineering support, and on-site guidance to see the lift through to completion.
Maxim utilized top-tier lifting equipment for this project, specifically selected for the site’s constraints and load requirements:
As a result of this project, the city of Lincoln’s water system has substantially increased resilience in the face of natural disasters and secured its connection to a second water source. Maxim’s role in this project concluded with zero incidents, supreme cost efficiency, and as minimal disruption to the city as possible. In fact, many citizens, excited by the prospect of a stronger water system, visited the site to watch Maxim work. This project demonstrates Maxim’s unmatched ability to deliver equipment and solutions of the highest caliber to municipalities seeking to strengthen their infrastructure for future generations.
Michels Trenchless came to Maxim Crane not just to provide cranes for their lift, but to provide high-quality equipment and critical guidance that would bring this project safely to completion for the citizens of Lincoln. Drawing on our elite team of engineers, sales representatives, operators, and more, Maxim Crane is experienced in providing support to your turn-key solutions. We don’t just sell the job. We see it through.
Whether you’re working hundreds of feet in the sky or deep below a major water source, Maxim is here for our nation’s municipalities. As you continue to strengthen your city’s resilience against natural disasters and global change, reach out to Maxim to learn how we can best support your lift.
