| In January 2007, work was finished on what Elm Road Project Director George Conniff calls “the single biggest risk and most visible aspect of the entire project.”
To install the highest sections of the new coal conveyor system, the Bechtel team needed a crane that could reach 400 feet (122 meters). The only one for the job was the Manitowoc 21000, the largest crane in North America. There are only six in existence, and they don’t come cheap; renting the machine costs $125,000 per month. With a capacity of 1,000 tons (907 tonnes) and a boom length of more than 550 feet (168 meters), it makes other cranes look like Tonka toys.
The crane parts were delivered on 65 trucks and took three weeks to assemble. The most critical lift was made over the existing Oak Creek operating plant. The operation required months of planning and detailed rigging plans, extensive coordination with the customer, and many reviews to ensure that the work was done safely. The lift and installation went off perfectly, taking about an hour each from start to finish. “We were all very relieved when it was done,” says Conniff.
 Back to top
Back to Super Power |
