All Over Albany

Capitol crane needs repair

The state Office of General Services announced today that the 274-foot-high crane that's being used to repair the roof of the Capitol needs repairs of its own.

So, how does one repair a crane that tall? With two other cranes. From the release:

... While conducting a routine inspection last week, the tower crane engineers employed a magnetic flux test and discovered suspected imperfections on some of the welds on the crane's eight foot turntable.

As a precautionary measure, a replacement turntable will be installed. In its present state, the 274-foot-high crane is safe and poses no threat to the surrounding area. Crews will work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, until the maintenance is completed.

The turntable, which is the part of the crane that the 275-foot boom swivels on, will be removed using a 550 ton crane. A smaller "assist" crane will construct the larger crane on-site. The large crane will then replace the existing turntable with the new one.

Gulp. Repairs start Monday. All the craning will prompt "traffic adjustments" on Washington Ave next week, and part of the sidewalk on that Capitol side of the street will be closed. The full release is after the jump.

By the way: the Capitol crane is 0.47 Cornings tall. Here's a photo taken from the top of the crane a few years back.

Earlier on AOA: That's a really big crane

photo: Andy Kainz

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Capitol Roof Crane Maintenance to Take Place Beginning February 21

Adjustments to Vehicle and Pedestrian Traffic Anticipated

by New York State Office of General Services

ALBANY, NY (02/18/2011)(readMedia)-- The Office of General Services (OGS) announced today that maintenance on the crane serving the Capitol roof repair project will begin February 21. The work is expected to take 10 - 12 days, weather permitting, and will necessitate adjustments to traffic patterns on Washington Avenue near the Capitol. The cost of the maintenance will be borne by the contractor and will not add additional costs to the project.

The contract for the project requires annual crane inspections, and the general contractor, Consigli Construction Company, has elected to conduct more frequent inspections. While conducting a routine inspection last week, the tower crane engineers employed a magnetic flux test and discovered suspected imperfections on some of the welds on the crane's eight foot turntable.

As a precautionary measure, a replacement turntable will be installed. In its present state, the 274-foot-high crane is safe and poses no threat to the surrounding area. Crews will work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, until the maintenance is completed.

The turntable, which is the part of the crane that the 275-foot boom swivels on, will be removed using a 550 ton crane. A smaller "assist" crane will construct the larger crane on-site. The large crane will then replace the existing turntable with the new one.

OGS is working with the City of Albany to coordinate traffic adjustments on Washington Avenue. Lane reductions for vehicle traffic and parking restrictions on Washington Avenue between Swan and Eagle Streets will begin Monday morning. The Washington Street entrance to the Capitol will remain open; however the sidewalk on the south side of Washington Avenue beyond the entrance to Eagle Street will be closed to pedestrians.

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