This hits especially close to home because just 2 weeks ago I watched with interest as they dismantled the crane from the jobsite right behind our apartment. I walked over and talked to the crew, listening intently as they shared with me how it's done. They were excited to tell their story and I found it fascinating.
The removal crane was a monster 350 ton model with a 200' high reach.
They began by removing the concrete blocks from one end.
Then they removed a long horizontal boom piece from the other end to keep things in relative balance.
This was just one of the boom pieces. You have to see it up close to realize just how massive it is. It was broken down further into 3 pieces and each piece hauled out on a separate truck.
They worked back and forth from the ends until all they had left was the central cab. Finally it was removed, then the mast came down in 20' sections and it was all gone. Just like a kids erector set. (Do they even have those anymore?)
At UT Dallas they must have been somewhere in a mid-dismantle unbalanced state when a 50 mph gust of wind hit it, blowing it over. Notice the workers in my photos up high unbolting all the pieces? I'm wondering if it was they who were killed? As there aren't too many 350 ton cranes around I'm wondering if this wasn't the same crew I spent time with? So far I haven't been able to find out. Whoever they were, may they rest in peace. We take so much for granted, never stopping to think about all the hard working, brave people who build....everything!
S
