MASSENA -- The New York Power Authority Board of Trustees approved an award for a six-year equipment contract, valued at $70.6 million to REEL COH, Inc. for two new gantry cranes.

The cranes will be used at the St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt Power Project in Massena once the Quebec firm completes the design, fabrication, delivery and installation project, NYPA officials said in a press release.

Officials say the new cranes will enhance the operational efficiency and reliability of the facility.

"These crane replacements are crucial for the future operational safety and efficiency of the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project, for our IBEW workforce and for NYPA,” said Judge Cecily Morris, NYPA Trustee and North Country resident. "This investment in modernizing our equipment demonstrates the Power Authority’s commitment to best-in-class upgrades to this essential North Country power generation asset.”

Under the contract, the existing 90-ton crane will be upgraded to a 100-ton crane to accommodate reserve capacity, ice buildup and dynamic forces when lifting intake gates, officials said.

The existing 300-ton crane will be upgraded to a 350-ton crane to provide a greater margin for dynamic forces and future potential upgrades to the project’s generating units. The contract also includes rail replacement/ refurbishment, conductor bus bar system replacement, and power feeder replacements. The design and engineering work is scheduled to begin in Jan. 2025.  The 100-ton crane is scheduled to be completed in mid-2028, and the 350-ton crane in 2030.