The big day has FINALLY arrived!!  It is clear and cold, perfect! With the road being blocked beyond Shaw’s Market on West Hill Road, the Fairpoint crews wait for their time in the action.  Meanwhile, on the other side of the West Hill Road bridge, the building is on its way, with snow capped Mt. Mansfield in the distance.  Below center, approaching the bridge, the convoy slows down and distances are constantly checked.  The pressure valves control the hydraulics, keeping everything balanced and level.  It is a tight squeeze, but not the worst case, by far!

Above: Trees needed some trimming along the way as the climb to Route 100 begins.  Right: Fairpoint crews jump to action and begin their work to raise wires to enable the building to smoothly maneuver around the corner onto the main road. Smooth as can be (below left)!  Down Maple Street (lots of wires to raise) and up Tin Shop Hill onto Main Street.

Above:  The tight turn onto School Street provided the crew a bit of a challenge.  Many people were gathered, watching and waiting.  The stairs on the Walker’s building were in the way but the crew took that in stride, all pre-calculated, and made the necessary adjustments to the position of the hitch (below).  The truck inched forward ever so cautiously.

Left:  Kissing the stairs, the keen eye of John Rogers, guiding the progress.  A little friendly persuasion, and an adjustment to the building’s old siding was all it took, and the worst was over!!! You could almost hear the collective sigh of relief in the crowd.

Above:  In front of the Blue Moon restaurant was another narrow canyon to negotiate, but a straight shot, clean and clear.  Barbara Baraw (SHS Pres.) and Russ Coval (Clerk of the Works) watch the crew prepare the equipment for the slide over to the foundation.

Left:  Teachers allowed the classes to come out for a quick look at this event.

Right: The iron beams are moved under the building. Once the prep had been done, the slide was relatively quick!  Thank you, Rogers Bros.! The roof is scheduled to move in 4 days, 12/04/2009