Tricia Potts found this on the Internet. Thought some of you might be interested. It is photos of machines breaking up the concrete that I guess formed the floors of the old Caterpillar plants there.

"If you follow the link below you will find 4 photos of a concrete smasher getting to work on the East Peoria site. They took advantage of the 2 nicedays we had this week. To view the photos, paste each link below into your web browser."

pjstar.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge.a...150&CategoryID=19355

GWH

Here is a link to the article in the newspaper about the photos.



www.pjstar.com/archive/x1098745479/East-...ng-reduced-to-rubble

Here is a link to a youtube video showing the process.
Jim

Thanks Jim. That was fun to look at! GWH

George It is nice to see that they have started on it. I have been by the site several times in the last few years. Waiting to see them get moving on it.
My wifes Aunt just retired from Cat she worked about a block or two from this site. I plan on being there when it is open to the public.
Terry

I have seen those machines working during the reconstruction process of several expressways in the Chicago area. I can tell you from experience that they are real ground shakers. I could feel the vibration several lanes over while being stuck in rush hour traffic. They are quite effective.

Why are they tearing up the concrete? What is going to be built there? catskinner

Does anyone know where this is located? Is it part of the original Cat plants down by the river and west of Hwy 74 I believe. Just wondering what part of East Peoria it is located in.

I think it is part of the old Cat property just a little west of 74 on the south side of the river. Lee can best tell us which buildings were on the site. This is in the area where they used to push rail cars under the roadway. I have heard a lot of stories about that. It is a nice big area for the center.

Peoria has worked hard to bring people back downtown for other things than work. They have a nice river front walk and many places to eat and shop downtown. Many people do not know it , but the Avery Tractors were built in Peoria and the orginal office building still stands, part of the old factory might still be there. It was last fall, but is slowly being torn down.

Was the 68 acres under roof, or does that include the outside storage areas?
If I understood correctly, they are not breaking it up for removal, just to roughen up the surface. I wonder how thick the concrete is.