Big lift is milestone for Leeds Arena

Working for main contractor BAM, Mammoet will hoist a 45-metre long steel beam that weighs 180 tonnes. A team of 12 will then work through the night to fix it into place.

This proscenium beam, supporting the main stage, is the largest single element of 3,500 tonnes of steelwork to be erected on the project.

Mammoet national account manager Darren Watson says that the cranes used for the big lift were a Liebherr LTM 1500 and a Grove GMK 7450. Several smaller cranes uo to 100t capacity also helping out.

Fixing the proscenium beam is an important milestone in BAM’s construction of the £60m Leeds Arena project.

BAM construction manager Gordon Alexander said: “The proscenium beam is a crucial part of the whole structure of the Leeds Arena and an important milestone in the scheme as this is when the building really starts to take shape. Once in place it will create the archway for the stage and support the entire roof structure.”

Completion of the 13,500 capacity concert and events venue is scheduled for 2013. 

Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk