Second time around, Yard House comes by air

One lane closure was enough for owners of a new restaurant moving into

Triangle Square this fall. This time, they will go to the air rather than

by land to move heavy equipment.

The owners of the Yard House will use a helicopter Tuesday to ship in the

restaurant’s air conditioning and refrigeration units. They had announced

the possibility of a second traffic delay at the end of the Costa Mesa

Freeway but they have found another alternative -- albeit a more

expensive one.

“It will cost extra money to airlift the units in but it will be faster

and won’t inconvenience any motorists,” said co-owner Steve Reynolds. “I

think it will be easier for everybody involved.”

Six weeks ago, the owners were figuring out how they would move massive

steel girders that will support the entryway and keg room. The shipment

of steel caused the city to close one southbound lane on Newport

Boulevard for more than six hours. Owners were fearful that the lane

closure would add further delays for motorists in the usually clogged

thoroughfare. But Reynolds said the only complaints he received were from

two of his friends who called on their cell phones stuck in midafternoon

traffic.

The coolant system will be shipped via helicopter at 7 a.m. and the move

will take about two hours. The restaurant is scheduled to open Oct. 15.

-- Greg Risling