One Worker Injured in Freeway Bridge Collapse Released from Hospital

One of the nine workers injured after after a freeway underpass under construction in Corona partially collapsed has been released from the hospital, authorities said.

Eight workers remained hospitalized -- three of them with critical injuries.

The collapse occurred at the East Grand Avenue underpass of the Riverside (91) Freeway around 11:10 p.m. Friday, said Cheryl Donohue, a spokeswoman for the Riverside County Transportation Commission.

Workers were in the process of placing a new bridge deck, during a bridge lowering operation, when the temporary support beams under the future eastbound Riverside (91) bridge widening over East Grand Boulevard Bridge collapsed, said the commission’s Eliza Echevarria.

All work on the 91 Freeway has been suspended until Monday.

“Currently, the bridge is seated in the proper position and inspections of the bridge have been made by the project structural engineering team,” Echevarria said. “The East Grand Boulevard roadway is being cleared, with the goal of restoring traffic on the roadway between Third Street and Joy Street as soon as possible.”

The California Occupation Safety and Health Administration was on the scene and has begun its investigation, she said.

The underpass construction was part of the State Route 91 Corridor Improvement Project, which involves the widening of the freeway through Corona, Donohue said.

“RCTC is dedicated to the safety of the 91 Project and the men and women who are making these infrastructure improvements,” said RCTC Executive Director Anne Mayer. “Our thoughts and prayers are with these workers and their families.”

--City News Service, photo via OnSceneTV