Constructed on the day after Commencement in 1999, the yellow crane towering over Widener Library was not supposed to mar the Harvard landscape.

But adorned with Christmas lights last winter and decked with patriotic flags, the crane, for some students, became another Harvard landmark.

Now, after completing its job, the crane will be retired this weekend.

The endeavor will reduce Mass. Ave. traffic to two lanes and close off the sidewalk starting Friday as construction workers prepare to take down the 189- foot crane. Several nearby entrances into the Yard will be blocked as well, according to Harvard Capital Projects Manager Jeffrey J. Cushman '69.

"We will need to bring in a crane to take down the crane," Project Superintendent Bruno Maunsell said. He said the additional crane will be brought in on Saturday to lower the 270-foot horizontal boom, which will then be disassembled on the street in front of the construction site.

As part of the $41million Widener renovation project, the crane was built to help install the climate-control system and construct the two reading rooms that were also added to the library.

"There is no other way to get inside," Maunsell said, explaining why the crane was necessary. A crane was the only means to transport materials--including Bobcats and wet cement--into the 100-foot-deep interior courts and to dispose of debris.

But while the towering symbol of construction might be leaving, the actual project will not be completed for some time.