Lucas Oil Stadium

Lucas Oil Stadium completed construction in 2008 as a multi-purpose home for major sports and entertainment in downtown Indianapolis, anchored by a state-of-the-art retractable roof. Owned by the Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority, the roughly $720 million stadium was built between 2005 and 2008 by dozens of trade contractors, most of them from Central Indiana. Hunt Construction Group, Inc., of Indianapolis managed the build, assisted by the local firms of Smoot Construction and Mezzetta Construction, and retained Maxim Crane Works, LP for all crane-related requirements.

The Challenge: Comprehensive Lift Solutions at Stadium Scale

A stadium of this size does not rise on a single crane or a single lift. Spanning 1.8 million square feet and topped by a state-of-the-art retractable roof, Lucas Oil Stadium called for a large, versatile crane fleet that could move across a busy multi-year jobsite and handle a wide range of lifts across the site. With 19 contractors and dozens of trades working in close coordination, the project needed a lifting partner who could deliver the right equipment at the right time while holding to the highest safety standards from groundbreaking through completion.

The Solution: The Right Crane for Every Lift

Maxim provided 63 cranes ranging from 15 to 300 tons, each matched to the varied demands of the build. The fleet included 10 conventional crawler cranes, 30 all-terrain and hydraulic truck cranes, 19 rough terrain cranes, a boom truck, and three carry deck cranes, giving crews the reach, capacity, and maneuverability to work every corner of the site. Maxim operated and maintained the majority of this equipment and supported the project with planning, engineering, and industry-leading adherence to safety for its full duration.

The Results: More Than 18,000 Hours, Zero Major Incidents

Maxim’s crews completed more than 18,000 labor hours on Lucas Oil Stadium without a major incident. The result was a retractable-roof stadium built over a multi-year schedule, a multi-purpose venue that seats more than 67,000 fans and serves as the home of the Indianapolis Colts and a host site for major events in downtown Indianapolis. Across the build, Maxim’s fleet and crews kept the work moving safely.

Beyond the Crane: The Maxim Crane Advantage

Maxim did more than supply cranes to Lucas Oil Stadium. Our team brought the fleet depth to cover a wide range of lifts, the engineering and planning to sequence them safely, and the operated-and-maintained service to keep equipment running across a multi-year build. It is the same combination of equipment, expertise, and safety leadership that makes Maxim a partner of choice for large-scale commercial construction.

From Groundbreaking to Game Day: Put Maxim on Your Next Build

Whether you are building a stadium, an arena, or the next landmark on your city’s skyline, Maxim Crane has the fleet, engineering, and safety-first execution to see it through. Contact us today to plan the lift solutions for your next project.