Inching Inland

Inching Inland. Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Starting June 17, 1999, engineers began a monumental job: to move the nation's tallest lighthouse away from the shore. First, workers lifted the 4,830-ton structure from its foundation. Then they eased the lighthouse onto a platform atop a 700-foot rail system. Push jacks moved the frame five feet at a time, with each push taking about one minute. As they inched inland, workers dismantled and rebuilt the rail system, creating a smooth path for the lighthouse's journey. On the lighthouse, 60 sensors tracked load, vibration, and tilt to ensure stability., On July 9, the lighthouse reached its destination, 2,900 feet from its original location and safe from the sea for decades to come by re-establishing the 1,500ft distance from the ocean., Rolling Along , Rollers served as the lighthouse's "wheels." This roller-smaller than those used during the move-is shown upside down. Flipped over, 100 rollers fit onto the rail system's steel beams., You are standing on the lighthouse move path. Workers cleared and graded a path over a half-mile long and 100 feet wide. As you walk the path, look out for medallions marking the move's progress,