Third Avenue Bridge Project Reaches a Milestone as the Remaining Tower Cranes are Removed

Article and photos by Doug Verdier

A milestone was reached this past week in the Third Avenue Bridge rehabilitation project with the removal of the two remaining tower cranes that had been in place on the bridge since the early stages of the project. Each crane had to be disassembled and lowered to the bridge surface where the sections were loaded onto flat bed trucks to be removed from the job site. The whole operation took most of four days to accomplish.

The photos below show the various elements of the two cranes being removed one at a time from the towers and lowered by another crane (the yellow one). Anyone watching the operation had to be impressed by the skill and precision of the workers, especially when they were climbing around on the cranes to detach each section from the others and connect the cables from the other crane that would safely lower each section. The workers on the ground also had to ensure that each piece being lowered was brought down precisely where it was, then detached from the crane and prepared for loading onto the awaiting flatbeds. The entire process was well orchestrated to keep the operation moving on schedule and, above all, safely.

The first crane to be disassembled was the one closest to the First Street end of the bridge. Here the front section has been removed and is being lowered by the yellow crane.

Another view of the front section coming down. While this is going on, the workers on top of the tower are starting to disconnect the rear section of the crane (the horizontal red portion with the flag on top) from the control unit. That will be the next piece to be removed and lowered.

Rear section is connected to cables for lowering it before final disconnection is made.

Rear section about to be lifted. Note the worker at the left end of the red section making sure the disconnection and separation goes smoothly.

Here comes the rear section of the first crane to the ground. Note the other tower crane to the right. It will be taken down the following day.

The crane operator’s cabin is next to be removed from the tower and lowered.

Workers beginning to prepare sections of the tower to be removed. The horizontal section of the second tower crane can be seen to the right of the tower being worked on.

This is the second (and last of the original four) crane being disassembled and lowered. Cab of flatbed truck can be seen on the bridge awaiting the sections of the crane as they are brought down. Several flatbed trucks were required to transport all the various section of the cranes as they were taken apart.

The rear section of the crane coming down. The red front section can be seen laying on the bridge. It will be disassembled into sections that can be transported off site.

Almost there! Once on the ground, the “ALL” signage and other elements will be removed before the remaining section will be prepared to be loaded onto flatbed truck transport.

Pieces of the tower being placed on flatbed. Just two vertical sections remain standing.

The last tower section is on the ground.

A closer look at the last tower section before it is laid down in preparation for loading onto the flatbed.