DENVER -- A sculpture ordered 15 years ago for Denver International Airport is finally on its way to Denver.

But it may still take awhile to arrive.

The sculpture is called "Mustang." It's 30 feet tall. It was supposed to sit outside the Jeppesen Terminal on the south side of the airport when it opened in 1995, but the artist missed deadline after deadline.

Then, that artist, Luis Jimenez, was killed by the sculpture last year. Jimenez was moving the piece in his studio in Hondo, New Mexico in June 2006 when a piece fell on him.

Denise Stepto, the manager of the public art program at DIA, said “We had some concern because Mr. Jiménez was not able to finish the sculpture. It is a large piece, and we wanted to make sure it is structurally sound enough to withstand potentially strong winds at its permanent location south of Jeppesen Terminal.”

So, the piece is being shipped to California before it comes to Colorado. A company there will strengthen the structure supporting the sculpture. The work will take up to six weeks.

DIA had paid Jiménez approximately $300,000 for Mustang. The structural-strengthening and pre-assembly work, transportation to DIA, and installation of the sculpture are anticipated to cost another $300,000. 

Jeffrey B. Bergen, president of ACA Galleries, a New York City company specializing in contemporary and American art, has estimated that Mustang, when installed at DIA, will have a value of $2 million.