The San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that contractors building a downtown courthouse expansion have significantly lowered the heights of three construction cranes and equipped them with flags and lights to comply with Federal Aviation Administration rules.

Those swift actions helped convince Superior Court Judge Joel Wohlfeil on Thursday to delay at least one week issuing a restraining order sought by the county airport authority, which contends the cranes could cause a plane crash or clog regional air traffic if their previous heights are restored.

Lawyers for both sides also said in court Thursday that they are discussing a settlement that could resolve the issue.

Attorneys for one of the contractors, Brewer Crane and Rigging, said they won’t be able to complete the $500 million courthouse project on B Street if they don’t reach a settlement or get permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to raise the cranes more than 600 feet above sea level.

They sought such permission on Oct. 6 and their attorneys said they expect it to be granted in the next few days.

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