Behind the Scenes: Chicago-based McHugh Construction completes construction of the Centennial Wheel for Navy Pier's 100th year celebration

CHICAGO, May 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- James McHugh Construction Co. has been quietly building the Chicago skyline for more than 100 years.

Naturally, then, when Navy Pier began searching for a general contractor to oversee its centennial reimagination and redevelopment, it chose McHugh, whose resume includes Chicago icons such as Marina City, the Blackstone Hotel and Aqua Tower.

"McHugh's background in hospitality construction made us the perfect fit for this project because of our ability to minimize disruptions for visitors and partners throughout the construction process," said Tom Conroy, senior project manager for McHugh Construction. "That was a priority for Navy Pier."

Tasked with bringing to life various aspects of Navy Pier's Centennial Vision, including the Centennial Wheel, Polk Bros Fountain and Plaza, construction of new boat ramps, redevelopment of the park space, and reconfiguration of the entry roadways, McHugh began planning long before the September 28, 2015 demolition.

Logistical planning by McHugh and its subcontractors began during the fall of 2014, earlier than usual due to the challenges inherent in building the Centennial Wheel – a structure twice as heavy as its predecessor – on the 100-year-old Pier, which sits on a 20-year-old parking garage atop Lake Michigan.

Typically, a 500-ton crane would be brought in to erect the wheel's spokes, legs, and gondolas, but in this case, McHugh had to consider the load capacity of the Pier and the supported slab in the parking garage below. This required a specific construction sequence utilizing two 250-ton cranes and one 100-ton crane working in unison to ensure the integrity of the build and the protection of the structures below.

"It was a perfectly orchestrated ballet," explained Conroy. "We had structural engineers analyze how each piece of material would be installed, in what order and by what size crane. We even had to strategically position the material and the cranes on the Pier in a manner not to overload the roof structure at any given time. This was all worked out before we even broke ground."

Once construction was underway, the team faced unique but somewhat expected challenges such as high winds, extreme cold and an uncharacteristically wet spring. During the only two days Navy Pier was closed for construction, temperatures hovered around 9 degrees meaning crews had to do some of their largest wheel installations in single digit temperatures. Conroy also explained how winds of 5 MPH in downtown could equate to more than 30 MPH on the Pier, so the ability to react quickly and adjust priorities was paramount.

According to Conroy, the most exciting part of the Navy Pier project was the creativity the team was able to exercise.

"When you're maintaining a fully functional visitor destination, you have to get creative," added Conroy. "For example, there was a day we needed to pour concrete and install landscaping soil. We brought in a concrete pump that would deliver the concrete over the roadway so the landscaping delivery trucks could still access the Pier. We find ways to make it work."

For McHugh, making it work means making it work safely. Conroy explains that safety is a part of the company's culture.

"We took measures every single day to ensure guest and worker safety was not compromised by the construction," said Conroy. "We had a full-time safety manager continually monitoring the work site, and we scheduled all construction in guest traffic areas outside of normal business hours. Minimizing disruptions and ensuring a safe work environment was the top priority."

Conroy, who has led the Navy Pier project since day one, shares the most interesting facts about the build from his perspective:

• 525 Tons | Weight of Centennial Wheel, twice the weight of the former Ferris wheel
• 196 Feet | Height of Centennial Wheel
• 120 Feet | Length of each of the six legs of Wheel
• 36,000-60,000 Pounds | Weight of the six legs of Wheel
• 95 Feet | Length of each of 21 spokes on Wheel
• 500 | Cubic yards of concrete used
• 50 | Tons of steel used, not including Wheel
• 333,000 Pounds | Combined weight of the Wheel's six main support columns and the axle
• 22,000 Pounds | Weight of each television screen on either side of the center axle
• 48,000 Pounds | Weight of the center axle, the heaviest crane load installed on Wheel 
• 150 Feet | Depth of 8 micropiles installed below the Pier park to ground Wheel  
• 500+ | Number of McHugh employees and subcontractors responsible for the build
• 50+ | Number of Chicagoland subcontractors engaged by McHugh for project
• 25,000+ | Total build hours
• $26.5 Million | Total cost of Wheel + construction
• 5 | Number of cranes used to assemble Wheel
• 1.2 Million Pounds | Total lifting capacity of cranes used to assemble Wheel

McHugh employees and subcontractors were invited to assist Navy Pier during operational testing of Centennial Wheel on Sunday May 22. This testing gave Navy Pier staff and operators the chance to practice loading and unloading passengers and streamlining ticket booth operations. Video of the operational testing can be found here.

"That is a special day for the McHugh family," said Conroy. "Our team of engineers, operators and subcontractors is proud of the work they've put into the Wheel. For them, this opportunity brought the project full circle."

Centennial Wheel opens to the public on Friday, May 27 at noon.

About McHugh Construction
Since its founding in 1897, James McHugh Construction Co. has earned its reputation as a builder of landmark, one-of-a-kind structures in Chicago and across the Midwest. Specializing in high-rise concrete construction and complex, large-scale projects for both private and public sectors, McHugh has built some of Chicago's most iconic structures such as Trump Tower, Aqua Tower, Blackstone Hotel and Navy Pier's Centennial Wheel. The company's mission has always been to promote a seamless and positive project experience with excellence and innovation. It is known for its unwavering commitment to its clients, its ability to deliver exceptional results on time and within budget, and its dedication to growing and developing its partnerships with subcontractors.

About Navy Pier
Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is the top-attended leisure destination and historic landmark in the Midwest, stretching more than six city blocks and welcoming more than 8 million guests annually. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, this Chicago landmark showcases more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities and more. In 2016, Navy Pier celebrates its 100^th anniversary with a series of special events and programming, the grand opening of its new Centennial Wheel and ongoing pier-wide redevelopment efforts as part of the Centennial Vision. Navy Pier, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, maintains and oversees historic Navy Pier and its redevelopment into a bolder, greener and more contemporary urban space. For more information, visit our website at www.navypier.com.

SOURCE James McHugh Construction Co.