One of world's largest cranes arrives for work at Tappan Zee Bridge

PIERMONT, N.Y. (WABC) -- One of the world's largest floating cranes is getting down to work Monday at the Tappan Zee Bridge project.

The 400-pound "Left Coast Lifter" came from California, through the Panama Canal, and after a final cruise up the Hudson River, arrived at the Tappan Zee. The mammoth blue and white crane came bearing two American flags.

Governor Andrew Cuomo was on hand for the welcome ceremony, saying he feels an "emotional connection" to the crane because it's saving New York over a billion dollars.

The crane is strong enough to lift 1,900 tons at one time, the equivalent of lifting 12 Statues of Liberty.

The crane will be used to replace the current bridge connecting Rockland and Westchester counties.

The new $3.9 billion bridge is slated to open in 2018.

The crane has been berthed in Jersey City since January, after it completed a 6,000-mile journey from San Francisco through the Panama Canal.

(Some information in this story is from the Associated Press.)