November 27, 2013

Largest crane lift in South Island to happen at Christchurch Hospital tonight

The largest mobile crane lift to ever happen in the South Island is to take place at Christchurch Hospital tonight (Wednesday, November 27, 2013).

Dave Watson, Canterbury DHB Building Services Engineer, says with the addition of new wards to the hospital’s Parkside building, a cooling tower needs to be placed on the roof of the hospital to support the air-conditioning system.

The only way this can be achieved is with a 300 tonne crane, with an 84.2m reach, which has to be situated out on the road on Oxford Terrace, adjacent to Christchurch Hospital.

“At around midnight the crane will begin lifting the cooling tower between the Clinical services and Parkside buildings,” Dave says.

“It’s a bit of a major logistical exercise as a 34 tonne crane is required to set up the flying jib on the big crane even before we can start. The big crane has also required Civil Aviation Authority Approval, as it will be lifting 120m in the air.”

The cooling tower will be lifted across the two link corridors –all levels need to be clear on transfer – and over the Parkside north central area between Wards 18 and 19 (third level) and 16 and 17 (second level).

Work to set up the crane lift will begin from 3pm when the Emergency Department’s upper car-park will be closed progressively as cars leave the car-park this afternoon. Signage and security officers will be onsite to direct traffic.

“The upper car-park in front of the canopy will be unavailable for parking from 3pm today till 2am tomorrow (Thursday).”

At 7pm traffic management will setup in Oxford Terrace outside the hospital. Traffic will be reduced to one lane and the bus stop and taxi stand will be temporarily relocated 100m east.

There will be three lifts in total before the crane and road is cleared by 4am.

ENDS

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