Sarens has played a key role in the expansion of one of France’s oldest and most iconic sporting venues, completing heavy lifting works for the installation of 28 prefabricated steel roof sections on the South Tribune.
The project was delivered for a consortium of GTM Hallé, Urban Dumez, Demathieu Bard and Blocotelha Steel Constructions. The heaviest roof module weighed 74 tonnes, with lifts carried out up to 30 metres high and with a working radius between 25 and 68 metres.
“This stadium means a lot to the people of Strasbourg— and to me personally,” said Valentin Meyer, Key Account Manager of Sarens Projects and a proud local supporter of RC Strasbourg. “Being part of this was special.”
Equipment and configuration
Sarens used its SL 3800 crawler crane in SWSL_1 configuration, with a 48-metre main boom and a 66-metre luffing jib. The crawler base allowed the crane to be repositioned inside the tight work area without needing full disassembly.
Planning
Working in Strasbourg’s dense city centre created major logistical challenges. There was very limited assembly space and only one truck was allowed on-site at a time, making phased mobilisation essential. The crane was brought in from another project in France and took 10 days to assemble under these restrictions.
Each of the 28 roof sections had a different geometry, which meant a custom rigging solution was needed for nearly every lift. With a multi-point lifting design, the tackle configuration had to be adjusted repeatedly.
“This was technically intensive,” said Project Engineer Romain Di Corato. “The tackle design evolved constantly due to the complexity of the geometry.”
Sarens’ engineering team worked closely with the on-site crew to design the rigging and plan each step of the operation, ensuring a safe and precise lifting sequence.
All roof sections were installed safely and on schedule, completing what is now the longest stadium roof in Europe.
“We knew this job would demand absolute precision from engineering to execution, and the team delivered,” said Project Manager Koen Rooms.
On Sunday, 23 March, the site opened to employees of the contractors involved and their families for a special Family Day. More than 1000 people visited the project, which is underway at one of France’s oldest football grounds.