Roof Trusses to be Placed on Milwaukee NBA Arena Project

(Photo: Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (AP) – Construction of the new NBA arena in Milwaukee has reached a milestone as crews place the first of nine enormous roof trusses above the partially-finished steel structure.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the lift began Tuesday. It involves workers from Merrill Iron & Steel, a local company that supplied the roof pieces, as well as Janesville-based construction company JP Cullen and the project construction manager, Mortenson Construction.

Mortenson project engineer Ellen Becker says the step in the project is complex because it’s high in the air and the pieces are heavy.

The trusses’ length adds to that complexity. They max out at about 200 feet each and are so large they have to be assembled inside the bowl, on what will eventually be the basketball court.