-- This might seem a bit of ho-hum information, but consider that the
workers will be retrofitting a steel framework that is located within a
754-foot deep shaft that is about 30 ft square WHILE some of the elevators and
counter weights are still zipping by ! Not work for the faint-hearted.
As an aside, we once transported a long ladder down into the cave back
in the 1980s to check a high lead, and due to the fact that it was too long
to fit in the elevators. I and another caver rode the ladder down to the
Lunch Room on top of one of the elevator cars. We had our caving lights on
and held on for dear life. It's not until you ride one of those cars down
that you really realize how fast they are dropping ! Watching the walls at
arms length zoom past at a blur was a bit unnerving. - Jerry.
...
Renovation planned for Cavern elevators
From the Current-Argus
Posted: 09/03/2010 09:07:08 PM MDT
CARLSBAD — Carlsbad Caverns National Park is doing some renovation in the
name of safety.
On Sept. 13, a contract to replace most of the steel support beams in the
Caverns' primary elevator hoistway will commence. According to a press
release, the maintenance is required due to peeling lead-based paint and
damage
caused by corrosion on the 55-year-old steel framework.
This is a very necessary project that will improve employee safety for the
elevator mechanics and significantly prolong the useful life of the
primary elevator system, said park Superintendent John Benjamin. We regret
that
it will affect visitor use on busy days. We have scheduled the work for
the time of the year with the lowest visitation, and we have made extensive
contingency plans to lessen the adverse effects of the project.
The elevator system at the park provides transportation for visitors and
cargo to and from the main cavern, located 754 feet below the Visitor Center.
The system includes four elevators: a primary set that carry 16 passengers
each and a secondary set that carry eight passengers each.
Many factors, such as the difficulty of accessing the hoistway, the
presence of lead-based paint and the interest in public safety, raised the
recommendation to reinforce the structure with galvanized beams, from a team
of
National Park Service and industry experts. The contract to carry-out the
work was granted to White Construction Group of Castle Rock, Colo.
The repairs of the beams will take from mid-September to mid-May 2011, the
release said.
Management assistant Paula Bauer provided helpful tips on how to make your
visit as efficient as possible.
We will try our best to direct and maintain a steady flow of visitors
exiting the cave ... the wait can be anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour
depending on the amount of visitors, she said. We suggest coming earlier in
the day, because lines in the afternoon tend to be longer as people try to
leave. Staff members will be in the area to answer any questions and to keep
things running as smooth as possible while the construction takes place.
However, visitors are allowed to hike out to the cave's natural entrance
via a steep 1-mile route. Park officials suggest that anyone considering this
route needs to start the hike before mid-day, be wearing appropriate
footwear and be in good physical condition. It is an uphill climb, with an
elevation gain of about 800 feet over about one and a quarter miles. The
gradual
climb is not recommended for anyone who experiences problems with their
heart, breathing, knees, back or diabetes. Visitors with health concerns
should return to the surface by elevator.
_http://www.currentargus.com/ci_15988628_
(http://www.currentargus.com/ci_15988628)