The big blue floating crane that’s on its way (via the 50-mile Panama Canal) to help construct the new Tappan Zee Bridge in New York can lift 12 Statues of Liberty at once. (Or 1,900 tons.) There’s no denying its strength. There is room, however, for debate regarding its name. When working on the San Francisco-Oakland Bridge in California, it was christened the Left Coast Lifter. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office is pitching a new nickname: “I Lift NY.” Chances are the moniker made up by the eager kids lining the Hudson River awaiting its arrival – “the supercrane” – will be the name that sticks.
Navy ship historian Vern Bouwman is keeping track of the crane’s itinerary. It’s expected to arrive in New York Harbor at the end of January.
The supercrane I Lift NY’s itinerary, image: navy.memorieshop.com