Investigations Set to Uncover Reasons Behind Bridge Collapse

Three separate investigations will be conducted to identify the reasons behind a freeway bridge collapse in Corona that injured 10 workers, officials said Wednesday.

According to the Riverside County Transportation Commission, some of the bridgework associated with the 91 Project Fast Forward has been halted until findings from the investigations are released.

RCTC Deputy Director John Standiford told City News Service there are more than 30 spans that will undergo modification during the project, but only six of those will be put on hold as a result of the inquiries.

Cal-OSHA and Caltrans will be carrying out investigations, while the contractor, Irvine-based Atkinson/Walsh, will move ahead with its own forensic examination.

According to RCTC, the firm has hired Washington, D.C.-based KCE Structural Engineers to handle its inquiry. KCE was involved in structural rehabilitation of the Pentagon’s west wall following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“These investigations will take time, and they need to be done right,” said RCTC Executive Director Anne Mayer. “The project team is cooperating with each investigation, and RCTC will be monitoring progress and findings.”

About 11 p.m. Friday, crews were attempting to lower a bridge deck into place, using hydraulic jacks, for the new East Grand Avenue on-ramp to the Riverside (91) Freeway. An unexplained failure caused the 750-ton span to partially give way and fall 16 inches, snapping wooden support beams below, which struck the workers.

Three men were treated for minor injuries, but seven remain hospitalized, according to RCTC.

“The 91 Project team’s thoughts and prayers are with those injured by this accident,” Mayer said. “The kind words and offers of support from the community are sincerely appreciated.”

The commission, along with Atkinson/Walsh and the California Transportation Foundation, are setting up a charity fund for the injured men.

According to Standiford, one bridge has been successfully completed using the “bridge-jacking” method. So officials were baffled as to why the mishap occurred.

Grand Avenue was closed between Joy and Third streets during the ramp placement, and no motorists or passers-by were ever in harm’s way. Grand remained shut down at the freeway through the weekend while the area was secured. The circular corridor was reopened to traffic Monday morning, though only one lane is available through the construction zone.

It was the second major setback for the 91 project in less than a month.

On Sept. 15, the westbound 91 at Green River Road was partially shut down after rainwater pooled in one of the far right lanes, raising concerns that the surface might collapse.

Lane closures were in effect for several days, creating a chokepoint on the heavily used artery that seriously delayed commutes into Orange County. The freeway was fully reopened after workers replaced several concrete slabs.

Corona Mayor Eugene Montanez complained to RCTC that commuters had flooded city streets, making life unbearable for residents. He criticized the agency for poor planning.

Officials replied that the damage had been unforeseen and every effort was made to expedite repairs.

The $1.3 billion 91 project, which began last year, entails widening the east-west corridor between the Orange County line and Interstate 15, with new traffic lanes and ramps, as well as additional shoulder space and wider surface streets in the vicinity of the freeway.

Work was slated to wrap up at the end of 2017. However, Standiford acknowledged today that the timetable may have to be adjusted, depending on what comes out of the investigations.

--City News Service, photo courtesy of OnSceneTV