Crane dismantling on Tokyo Sky Tree begins

Work began on Monday to dismantle the giant cranes used for the construction of the Tokyo Sky Tree broadcasting tower.

The top of the tower reached 634 meters above the ground in March. It is the tallest broadcasting tower in the world.

On Monday, work to take down 4 giant cranes from the roof of a 375-meter-high observation deck began. The cranes had been used to lift materials for building higher parts of the tower.

Steel frames that held the props of the cranes to the tower structure were removed on Monday morning. The props will be dismantled next, before the cranes themselves are disassembled one by one.

A chief engineer of the tower's builder, Obayashi Corporation, said the dismantling of the cranes means that construction work is almost done. He said he feels both joy and a sense of loss.

The cranes will be removed by the middle of July.

The tower is scheduled to begin operating in the spring of next year.
Monday, May 23, 2011 13:25 +0900 (JST)