Topping-Out ceremony marks completion of steel erection at BlueOval Park

MARSHALL, MI (WNWN/WTVB) – The controversial BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall recently reached a major construction milestone.

The final steel beam was raised December 19 on the primary facility.

‌‌Construction contractor Walbridge, with Ideal Contracting and Ford, hosted a topping-out ceremony and the final beam was secured with team members’ signatures, a tree and a flag.

It’s a tradition in the construction industry to include a tree on the final beam as a symbol of good luck for the building. ‌ ‌

The project is said to be on track to begin production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in 2026 for Ford’s future electric vehicles.

When complete, Ford says 1,700 jobs will be created at the Marshall facility. The original plan called for 2,500 jobs in Marshall.

The project has faced vocal opposition from many citizens. But opponents have lost several legal challenges. The Michigan Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit challenging Ford’s facility last June.