Inspectors Called After Concrete Falls From Larimer Overpass
By Trina Orlando June 3, 2014 at 10:45 am
Filed Under:Concrete, Fifth Avenue, Hamilton Avenue, Larimer, Overpass, Trina Orlando
LARIMER (KDKA) – Three drivers on Fifth Avenue in Larimer got an unpleasant surprise as they passed under a 100-year-old railroad bridge Monday night.
Around 10:30 p.m., chunks of concrete fell from the bridge and damaged three vehicles.
Two vehicles were hit by the falling concrete, while a third blew a tire after hitting debris on the road.
No one in any of the vehicles was injured.
Public safety crews shut down a portion of Fifth Avenue while inspectors checked out the bridge.
They deemed it sound around 2:30 a.m. At that time, train traffic resumed and Fifth Avenue reopened to traffic as well.
What caused the concrete to fall is under investigation.
Norfolk Southern says the bridge is made of steel and has a concrete coating, which crumbled.
Public safety officials say they have known for some time that reinforcing wires in the bridge needed to be replaced. However, at no point was the bridge unsafe.
Crews were expected back on scene Tuesday to knock down any chunks of concrete that could become a problem in the future.
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