Kiewit Uses OTH’s Wireless Quick-Release LudwigHooks to Overcome Major Logistical Challenge in The Champlain Hudson Power Express Project

The Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) is one of North America’s most ambitious clean energy projects. At its core, the project represents not only an investment in sustainable infrastructure but also a commitment to worker safety during complex construction phases.

One such challenge arose when Kiewit, the renowned construction company, leading the terrestrial portion of this project, was tasked with connecting the transmission line cable structure to an existing railroad bridge, 42.6 m above the ground. For this purpose, they built a scaffolding deck system underneath the bridge; however, the scaffolding did not allow the crew access to the rigging slots to unhook their structure. This high-risk environment required a remote unhooking solution that could minimize worker exposure while maintaining operational efficiency.

The Role of OTH Pioneer Rigging’s Wireless Quick-Release LudwigHooks
These quick-release Ludwighooks are designed to unhook loads from a safe distance within seconds using a remote eliminating the need to climb to dangerous heights to manually unhook. Built with a fail-safe mechanism, they remain securely locked under load, even if the hook battery is fully discharged. There is also a 2-button hook-release sequence on the remote that prevents accidental releases of any kind. Highly durable, this design is derived from a rugged choker system used in the forest industry.

For the CHPE bridge connection, OTH’s Quick Release LudwigHooks enabled Kiewit’s crew to:

• unhook their structure remotely within seconds from a safe location on the ground with a remote range of up to 60 m;
• reduce exposure to fall hazards at an elevated height of 42.6 m;
• improve efficiency by speeding up lifting and release cycles by syncing multiple hooks on a single remote;
• maintain control and precision during critical installation steps, since multiple Quick Release LudwigHooks can be released all at once or individually by color code.

No matter the rigging configuration – basket, choker, or direct – the remote control enables the rigging to release in just one second, allowing it to retract effortlessly with the crane hook. And each hook is built to perform up to 500 lifts on a single charge. It is a game-changer in lifting technology, and Kiewit recognized that instantly!

“It doesn’t risk, we don’t have anyone climbing on top. Everyone’s down on the scaffolding. It’s a real simple, easy system that has worked out extremely well for us,” shared Beau Nolan, superintendent at Kiewit, about his experience with the OTH Pioneer Rigging’s Quick-Release LudwigHooks.

Safety as a Cornerstone
Projects like CHPE require more than technical expertise—they demand a commitment to keeping workers safe while meeting tight construction timelines. By integrating innovative rigging technology, Kiewit demonstrated how forward-thinking solutions can reduce risk without compromising productivity.

“It’s as easy as pressing two buttons, the hooks unlatch, and the way we have it rigged up, the slings just pull through those slots that we created,” added Mr. Nolan.

Special thanks to Beau Nolan and the Kiewit team for providing team OTH with his invaluable perspective—and for their dedication to keeping crews safe while helping bring clean energy closer to millions.

Source: OTH Pioneer Rigging

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