Precast concrete panels along the Chicago River highlight construction progress on the new Bally’s Casino in River West. Those panels get trucked to the site and are lifted directly into place on the east wall next to the water. Architectural details in each panel mean they need to be delivered and installed in sequence, rather than cladding the façade with identical pieces.
It is an interesting process to watch. The panels arrive on their long edge, horizontally. It’s difficult from across the river to ascertain the dimensions, but they appear to be too long to transport upright due to clearance issues. Two lines from a shiny yellow Liebherr crawler crane, one of an army of cranes from Central Contractors Service operating at the site, lift the panels off the truck and rotate them 90 degrees to the upright position.
