Cranes on San Diego Courthouse Expansion Project Lowered after Airport Authority Lawsuit

October 27, 2015 – A restraining order against contractors on a courthouse expansion project was delayed by a week after the heights of three cranes on the San Diego downtown project were lowered “significantly” in compliance with FAA regulations. The ongoing legal battle pits the contractors against the county airport authority, which sought the restraining order, contending the crane heights were a threat for plane crashes or clogged regional air traffic.

 

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that lowering the crane heights, along with equipping the machines with flags and lights, convinced the Superior Court Judge to delay the restraining order by a week. Lawyers for both sides are discussing a settlement to resolve the issue. Contractors claim they won’t be able to complete the $500 million expansion project if the settlement is not reached, or they can’t get FAA permission to raise the cranes more than 600 ft. above sea level. That 600-ft. height is a violation of the FAA’s prescribed 511-ft. height limit for cranes on the project.

 

The case will resume next week, when the judge expects to rule on whether the case is more appropriate for federal court because of the FAA’s involvement.