NEWPORT, OR (KPTV) -
Crews have completed a project to remove a Japanese dock that washed up onto an Oregon beach earlier this year.
The 66-foot dock was swept across the Pacific Ocean following the Japanese tsunami, and had attracted thousands of tourists in the Newport area.
Removing the 188-ton dock, however, proved to be a challenge. The project lasted a few days longer than expected, but still within the amount of time Oregon Parks and Recreation allowed for the contractor to complete the job.
Crews started cutting the huge concrete structure into pieces last week, and finally moved the last section off the beach by 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
Some coastal residents had expressed concern that they will be losing a huge tourism draw now that the massive structure is gone, but officials did approve a plan to preserve a portion of the dock in Newport to serve as a memorial to the Japanese tsunami victims.
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