The mysterious frame structure that is rising above Elm Street in downtown Bethesda is no longer a mystery. As two readers commented on yesterday's article, the structure is indeed being built for a gantry crane, which will be used for construction of the new south entrance to the Bethesda Metro station. This will eliminate the need for a tower crane, according to this slide from a recent Purple Line presentation. The slide also notes that it will reduce the amount of disturbance by dump truck traffic, although it does not explain how, as the same number of trucks would theoretically need to come and go from the site one way or another.
Yes the new contractors said sometime last year that they would be installing a gantry crane. I figured that it also has something to do with reducing conflicts with the tower crane next door at the Hampden House construction site.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly the uninterrupted closure related to construction of the Elm/Wilson, Purple Line and Hampden House (6 years and counting, with at least 2 more years to go) means Elm Street will probably set the record for the longest construction related street closure in county history.
Don't get me wrong, the new retail residences jobs transit and skyline modernization are great for the vitality of downtown Bethesda...but I dream of a time when every traffic lane and sidewalk will be open on Wisconsin Ave from Battery to Bradley.
Geeze, it's like something from The Great Escape. Call Steve McQueen.
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