Omega Morgan Crane Service Inc. and Apex Steel Inc. were tasked with installing massive structural support columns for Seattle’s 38-story 2+U office tower. Faced with limited space, increasing load weights, and strict road closure schedules, the teams engineered a single crane lift solution using specialized rigging equipment from LGH.
The 2+U project (named for its location on 2nd Avenue and University Street) required the installation of Y-shaped structural columns set at a 72-degree angle. These columns distribute the weight of the upper floors evenly into the foundation.
More than a year of planning, engineering, testing, and simulation went into designing the lift strategy before construction began.
Each column section presented significant challenges:
Precision was critical. The structural geometry left no room for error.
LGH rigging helped lift assembled columns that reached 165,400 lbs.
Initially, the team planned to use two cranes. Later, they explored using a crane with a tri-lifter system. However, as the load weights increased and the jobsite space tightened, those options became unworkable.
Only one crane could physically fit inside the building core area.
Because of space constraints, the crane was limited to:
Traditional tailing methods would have required more vertical clearance than the site allowed.
Among other issues, road closures dictated a strict installation schedule.
Further complications emerged during setup:
The lift plan had to be precise, compact, and efficient.
Senior engineer Kai Farrar engineered a rolling block rigging configuration that allowed the columns to be picked and rotated upright using a single crane.
The system included:
This configuration replaced the need for a traditional tailing device.
The rolling block and air chain hoist system minimized head height during the rotation of the columns. Compared to a tri-block setup, this approach reduced vertical rigging space requirements.
Because the jobsite was extremely tight, boom suspension systems such as mega wings or guy wires were not viable. The rolling block configuration allowed the crane to operate within the confined footprint.
The result was a compact, high-capacity rigging setup capable of safely rotating and standing each column section.
Before the official lift, Apex Steel owner Kevin Koester arranged a full test run using a reduced crew of five key personnel. The team verified rotation control, alignment, and bracing requirements.
The test confirmed:
A spare 50-ton air chain hoist remained on-site to eliminate potential downtime from mechanical issues.
Through collaboration between Omega Morgan, Apex Steel, and LGH, the structural columns were installed safely and on schedule.
The rolling block and air chain hoist rigging solution:
Without this specialized rigging approach, completing the installation within the jobsite limitations would not have been possible.
The rolling block and air chain hoists from LGH made this lift possible.
Omega Morgan specializes in heavy rigging, machinery moving, crane service, and specialized transportation. With over 300 employees, the company serves Oregon, Washington, Western Canada, and beyond.
Founded in 1996, Apex Steel Inc. provides steel erection, hoists, and tower crane services. Apex supports full construction project lifecycles with a focus on precision, integrity, and collaboration.
LGH provides hoisting, rigging, and engineered lift solutions for complex crane applications. With over 90,000 pieces of equipment available across North America, LGH helps contractors execute challenging lifts safely and efficiently.
Contact LGH today to discuss your next heavy lift project.
