June 25, 2010

RCMP AIRDRIE

The girder hung in the air for almost two hours before it gave way and broke onto the highway.

Girder cracks, twists during bridge construction in Balzac, Alberta

BALZAC, Alta.

A construction crew erecting a bridge on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway near Balzac, Alta. found out the hard way about the serious risks involved in this type of work. “While installing the last girder of the bridge over the southbound lanes, the girder cracked and twisted in final placement,” said RCMP Const. Francine Hennelly.

“It hung precariously in the air for almost two hours before it gave way and broke onto the highway.”

Airdrie RCMP and Alberta Sheriffs responded to an incident at the construction zone, which took place at 12:30 a.m. on June 24. No one was injured in the incident.

“Additional heavy duty cranes were called in, taking four massive cranes to remove the girder from the highway,” said Hennelly.

“The southbound lanes of the QEII were closed from 4:30 a.m. until almost noon. All traffic travelling southbound was re-directed onto Highway 566. RCMP responded to several motor vehicle collisions on alternate routes of travel due to the heavy congestion.”

The cause of the incident isn’t known, but structural engineers and contractors understand that live and dead loads can act upon a structure during erection. This can result in instability of a partially completed structure.

RCMP AIRDRIE

RCMP AIRDRIE

RCMP AIRDRIE

RCMP AIRDRIE

DCN News Services

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