Completion of elevator upgrade at Carlsbad Caverns to be delayed until mid-June

Officials with Carlsbad Caverns National Park announced that the completion of the modernization project for its primary elevators will be delayed until June 15.

The project was originally scheduled to be completed by Friday.

Since the end of April, contractors Tutor Perini Corp. And ThyssenKrupp have been working 10-hour days, seven days a week to complete the project.

“The majority of the work has been accomplished, but additional time is required by the contractor for final completion,” said Park Superintendent Doug Neighbor. “Once finished, a completely new primary elevator system will replace the outdated 63-year-old infrastructure and technology.”

The park continues to take visitors into and out of the cavern using a secondary set of elevators while the modernization project is completed.

The primary elevator system was originally installed in 1955 and went out of service in November 2015 when a six-inch motor shaft sheared off.

So far, the contractors have completed the replacement of control systems, motors, guide rails, hoistway and traveling cables and doors. What still needs to be done is the installation of the interior of the elevator cabs.

Final inspection and testing of the updated elevator system will take place June 12-14.

Additionally during this time, park staff will be trained in emergency operations of the new elevators.