Construction Quiz: What will the new Tappan Zee Bridge share with the new Bay Bridge?

What lifts up to 1,750 tons? Goodbye "Left Coast Lifter". Hello "I Lift New York". The massive crane was barged 6,000 miles through the Panama Canal to begin construction of the replacement Tappan Zee Bridge, having completed the Bay Bridge job.

1 minute read

February 4, 2014, 12:00 PM PST

By Irvin Dawid


The name change is only appropriate for one of the world's largest floating cranes. It is now docked at a Port Authority of N.Y. and N.J. facility in Jersey City after its one-month journey from San Francisco Bay where it helped build the new East Span of the Bay Bridge that opened Sept. 2.

Next job: Tear down the existing Tappan Zee Bridge, operated by the New York State Thruway Authority, and "build the new bridge’s structure and foundation," writes Rebecca Harshbarger. "It is expected to shorten construction time, and cut costs in building because it is so powerful."

“The Lift New York super crane can lift the equivalent of twelve Statues of Liberty at once,” said (N.Y.) Governor Cuomo in a statement (Jan. 30).

Passage through the Panama Canal was no easy task. Watch The New York Times video showing "the twin-boom Left Coast Lifter, which is said to be the world’s largest floating crane, lifted roughly 54 feet above Pacific sea level in two stages at the Panama Canal’s Miraflores Locks," writes

Thursday, January 30, 2014 in New York Post

Aerial view of homes on green hillsides in Daly City, California.

Depopulation Patterns Get Weird

A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.

April 10, 2024 - California Planning & Development Report

Aerial view of Oakland, California with bay in background

California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million

Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.

April 11, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

A view straight down LaSalle Street, lined by high-rise buildings with an El line running horizontally over the street.

Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing

Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.

April 10, 2024 - Chicago Construction News

Officials cutting a ceremonial red ribbon at Skyline Ranch Park in Santa Clarita, California.

New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley

The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.

5 hours ago - The Signal

Workers putting down asphalt on road.

U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause

A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.

6 hours ago - Los Angeles Times

Aerial view of Barcelona, Spain with Sagrada Familia church in middle among dense buildings.

How Urban Form Impacts Housing Affordability

The way we design cities affects housing costs differently than you might think.

7 hours ago - The Conversation

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.