MANITOWOC, Wisconsin (WBAY) – A giant crane being built in the Port of Manitowoc left home on Sunday morning and made its way to the east coast.
The crane left the port around a quarter to ten in the morning, and members of the Manitowoc community gathered by the water to watch it leave.
Many became restless over time with the crane still stuck in port, but the excitement persisted.
“I worked for Team Industrial Services and we’re the third inspector so it’s interesting to see how it goes. Something we’ve been working on, ”said Jennifer Kozaczuk as she waited to leave.
The 2.7 million pound crane, developed and assembled by Finnish company Konecranes, will handle 140-tonne loads at a US Navy base. The $ 55 million project lasted over a year.
“We need people to work and these jobs are important. When they built the cranes here, when the ice machine company … they all left. So we need something to bring back more jobs and I think this will be a blessing to the community, ”said Allan Thrasher of Manitowoc.
90% of the equipment used to build the crane was made in Wisconsin, and the project was completed last April.
Construction took place on the site where submarines were built during World War II.
“It brings back memories of the launch of all the submarines and stuff. Just seeing that one more time is nice, ”said Paul Windus of Manitowoc.
As previously reported, the completed crane will be set down on a barge and taken through the Saint Lawrence Seaway before reaching its destination in Virginia.
RELATED: State and Manitowoc leaders celebrate the completion of the massive Navy crane
Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels also spoke about the crane project last December on Action 2 News at 4:30 p.m.
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