MIDTOWN — The crane that collapsed and dangled from a 90-story tower on West 57th Street as Hurricane Sandy approached last week has been secured, officials said.
Police opened up the area to residents, guests and pedestrians once the crane, which is perched atop luxury high-rise ONE57, was secured.
"With the crane collapse secured, effective immediately, W. 57th Street and vicinity is open to pedestrian traffic, with vehicular traffic to follow momentarily," said NYPD Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Browne.
The boom of the crane collapsed Monday and dangled precariously just as Hurricane Sandy was about to hit the city. The disabled crane sparked a mandatory evacuation of the surrounding area.
Residents and guests of area hotels were allowed to return briefly Thursday to retrieve some of their belongings after crews stabilized the crane. Although they’ll be allowed to return home Monday, some buildings may still not have utilities, which were turned off to avoid further damage should the crane fall, the Department of Building’s Commissioner Robert Limandri wrote in a statement.
Now that the crane is secured, crews can begin to dismantle it, which could take a month, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Friday.