Thank the wind — or lack of it. A crane operator was able to lift the new airport traffic control tower top onto its perch at the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport on Tuesday.

Early that morning, a crane lifted a 21- by 21-foot steel frame atop the tower’s cement foundation. The construction crew had not planned to leave it there, but workers found the wind conditions were just right.

“They were doing sort of a test lift to make sure they got the clearance they needed,” said Cliff Newton, project manager with Heery International. “Just as it got up, the wind died and they only had a few inches of clearance. They decided to put it in place. So it kind of took everybody by surprise.”

While the crane held the structure in place, the workers set to work welding it. The job would take three or four hours, Newton said. The addition of the cab brought the tower closer to its destined height of 98 feet. The next step will be putting on an outer layer made of plywood covered with the same iridescent chemically treated stainless steel tiles that cover the nearby terminal, Newton said. Inside, workers will install electrical and plumbing systems.

Once finished, the $3.6 million tower, estimated to be completed in January, will have an elevator, and will provide room for two airport traffic control operators, according to Airport Operations Manager Gene Cossey.

Having the tower at the North Bend airport means a higher level of safety and less delays for passengers, he said.

“It keeps aircraft in a situation where they can communicate with each other,” Cossey said. “More, larger and faster aircraft can be in the airport at the same time. More — with less room for hazard.”