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Successful Deconstruction of Former Football Park Light Tower

On Tuesday 21st August, McMahon Services achieved a major milestone for the demolition works at the WEST Development of the former Football Park in West Lakes 14km from Adelaide, with the successful dismantling of the first of four 63m light towers, achieved through a series of complex crane lifts and oxy-LPG cutting works.

Using a combination of a 250t Liebherr hydraulic crane with a reach of 72 vertical meters and guide plates welded inside the structure, the light tower was held in place while one tradesperson cut the metal frame and another tradesperson acted as a spotter. 

Once cutting was complete, the 9t section was then lifted vertically and carefully lowered to the ground adjacent to the remaining tower structure. A 25t Franna crane ensured that the light tower could be laid horizontally to minimise damage to the tower and maximise the salvageability of its component parts.

The process was then successfully repeated two more times through the various tower levels, with ground level deconstruction being achieved on Wednesday. 

This is the first of four light towers to be dismantled at the former Football Park ground, which once had a seating capacity of 62,000. 

McMahon Services has completed other demolition works on site including service disconnections, asbestos removal and remediation, and the internal strip out and mechanical demolition of stadiums and grandstands.

Future works will include civil works for the site allowing for future development as a housing, aged care, shopping and community hub. Over 2000t of steel and 70,000t of concrete and brick will be demolished and recycled by project completion. 

Watch the drone footage of the light tower lift