Big crane installation to restrict dam crossings

Traffic will be sporadically delayed by construction work on Lower Granite Lock and Dam this week.

Crews were expected to begin work yesterday, Wednesday, July 11, on a project to replace the intake gantry crane on the top deck of the dam. The project includes assembling a new 130-ton capacity crane and disassembling and removing the existing 100-foot crane, according to the corps of engineers.

Contractors have forecast a closure from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, Thursday, and two-to-three hour intermittent closures throughout next Monday and Tuesday, July 16 and 17. Crossings could be barred early, at 5 p.m., for finishing work on July 21 and 22.

The crane was built by COH, Inc. of Boisbriand, Quebec, Canada. The company built two cranes for $7.5 million, the one at Lower Granite and one installed at Lower Monumental in April.

Travelers can call 1-888-DAM-INFO for up-to-date dam-crossing information.