Bird's-eye view of the Carrier Dome roof construction project
Syracuse, N.Y. -- Syracuse University has lifted the first pieces of steel for the tension ring beam that will be part of the Carrier Dome’s new roof and has added a second large crane to the city skyline to assist with the project.
The school raised the first piece of steel for the ring beam last Thursday. Syracuse University Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer Pete Sala said that workers have now raised seven of 36 pieces of the tension ring, which will eventually help hold the new crown-truss roof.
Sala also said the project remains on schedule. Syracuse is planning to have a new roof installed by next football season, along with new sound and lighting systems and a new scoreboard. By 2022, the school plans to have added air conditioning and made improvements to concessions and restrooms.
“The schedule right now is right on,” Sala said. “We’re very happy about the schedule. We’re in the process, right now, of constructing the tension ring, which is what the crown truss will hook to. It’s basically a ring beam on top of the existing ring beam. But it’s out of steel this time instead of concrete.”
The giant crane, one of the biggest in the United States, that has been in place since August and dominated the Syracuse skyline for the past month will continue to lift the steel used for half of the new Dome roof. A second crane, which was raised on Monday, will help lift steel for the other half.
“I don’t know if you noticed but there’s a big crane down there,” Sala joked. “There’s one that’s much like it that went up in the air (Monday) on the back side. Pretty much, almost, the exact same size.”
The addition of a second crane leaves two pieces of construction equipment towering over the city.
You guys, now there are two cranes over the Dome! pic.twitter.com/SpUmFlgGIP
Sala said that to accommodate the second crane the school has moved its metal detectors and security guards screening away from the building and out toward the quad on that side.
Sala said that he expects the first pieces of the crown truss to be put into place in early November. He said workers have completed installing the steel X-bracing on the walls that will help reinforce the building.
The project has created some substantial logistical challenges for the university but Sala said he believes the impact on fans for Saturday’s game against Clemson will be minimal.
All of the Carrier Dome’s gates will be open for fan fans to use on Saturday.
Sala said that he holds three meetings a day with contractors to discuss the project. The construction and lifting of the steel will make the Carrier Dome inaccessible to Clemson and ESPN employees until 6 p.m. when they arrive to set up for the game.
Said Sala: “How do we get Clemson’s equipment staff in the building? How do we get the Clemson team in the building? How does ESPN come it to set up? That has been very challenging to us. We’ve been talking about that since July. That’s challenging for them but they’re used to it. I know we have a great plan."
Contact Chris Carlson anytime: E-mail | Twitter | 315-412-1639
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022).
© 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.
Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.