The long boom of the crane that is being used in the construction of New York City’s tallest residential tower broke loose and dangled dangerously over West 57th Street on Monday, caught in Hurricane Sandy’s winds.
The boom hung near the 1,004-foot top of One57, the city’s most expensive new condominium tower, which is nearing completion. The accident caused widespread evacuations in the area.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said after the accident the main tower of the crane seemed to be secured to the building. “With the winds as they are, we just cannot secure” the boom until winds die down, the mayor said.
An official of building construction contractor Lend Lease said the company was working with structural engineers and city building officials on possibilities to secure the boom. In the storms winds, however, the crane appeared to be folded down away from the building.
