There is currently a large construction crane in the Rogue Regional Medical Center that was recently lined with colored lights. I’m assuming this is for extra visibility when helicopter landing, but just wanted to know for sure. And how do you install these lights on such a large crane?
– Stacy
The lights on the crane are there for a mix of utility and fun, said Asante spokeswoman Lauren Van Sickle.
After we sent your question to them, Van Sickle spoke to Jim Mahar from Anderson Construction to learn more about the crane.
For safety reasons, the Federal Aviation Administration requires that three lights be installed on the crane – one at the very top and one at each end of the boom, the horizontal portion of the crane.
As you noticed, the crane used more lights than the FAA needed.
“The lights currently installed along the boom are for decoration and to convey a sense of community,” said Van Sickle. “The colors of the lights can be changed so we’re likely to see red, white, and blue during the July 4th vacation and pink during the breast cancer awareness month in October.”
The lights are installed while the boom is on the ground before being lifted into the air and attached to the tower.
The crane is 205 feet tall and the longest portion of the boom is 265 feet. A series of 14-foot ladders winds through the center of the tower to the crow’s nest where the crane operator sits.
To assemble the crane, an even larger crane was used to lift the boom into place.
With the festively illuminated crane, a 326,000 square meter patient pavilion will be built, which will be connected to the six-story inpatient building of the hospital. The construction will enable the expansion of the emergency room, services for women and children, heart care, surgery and intensive care units.
The $ 420 million project is expected to be completed in early 2023. According to Asante, the costs include renovation work in the hospital.
Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, PO Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; or by email to youasked@rosebudmedia.com. We are sorry but the amount of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.
