HEATHROW has a new landmark. A dramatic feat of engineering was achieved on Friday 29 October as airport operator BAA successfully moved the 900 tonne, cone shaped top section of Heathrow”s new air traffic control tower almost 2km across the airfield. The huge structure was carried slowly on three remote-controlled hydraulic flatbeds along taxiways and across the southern runway by a specialist team. It took under two hours overnight to complete one of the most unusual transportations ever undertaken at a UK airport. Over the coming months steel mast sections will be slotted under the cab to raise the tower to its full height of 87 metres. Designed by Richard Rogers Partnership, the ”50m air traffic control tower is set to become one of west London”s most distinctive sights. It will feature the latest technology and offer Heathrow”s controllers a 360 degree cone of vision said to be the best viewing capability of any control tower in the world.
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