The 101m-long, 220-tonne truss was hoisted into the air by cranes at the stadium site yesterday morning, lifting it from a support frame used in its assembly, before being lowered back to near ground level.
Carisbrook Stadium Trust chairman Malcolm Farry said the preliminary work would allow the truss to be moved to the western end of the stadium site today, and, "all going to plan", lifted into position tomorrow.
The truss would span the gap between the stadium's north and south stands, but workers would take several days to weld and bolt it permanently in place once hoisted into position, he said.
The truss was designed to withstand the elements and hold the stadium's ethylene tetrafluoroethylene roofing in place, he said.
The progress comes after the Otago Daily Times on Saturday reported placement of the trusses was behind schedule, with the first three due to have already been installed and 50% of the playing area cleared.
Yesterday, Mr Farry said a new completion date would not be available until late next week, but reiterated his confidence the stadium would be completed on time and budget.
"The public will be the second to know if anything is wrong. We will know first, and we will tell them," he said.
