GRAVETTE — It wasn't a house raising or barn raising that Gravette residents watched unfold last Tuesday. It was a one-day tower raising in the northeast part of town.
Steele Communications erected a 210 foot communications tower in one day at the site of the old water tower that was dismantled several weeks ago.
The new mono-pole structure towers above the city and a day after its erection the aircraft warning light was connected.
The five-section tower was trucked in on two vehicles. The first 45-foot section, below, is being readied for lifting into place on a concrete base that required 129 yards of concrete.
The next photos show Noel Corbin riding the pole as it is hoisted into place. Nearby sits a truck with the four remaining sections waiting to be lifted.
The communications relay cap was finally lifted into place as shown in the other two photos as other "spidermen" assisted in various stages of the construction phase.
The tower will provide service to lessees who wish to improve their communication capabilities in the area.
News, Pages 8 on 08/19/2009