Overpass In Laval, Quebec Collapsed

Published: October 1, 2006, 9:03 am

In the news...

Several cars were travelling on top of the overpass when a pedestrian sidewalk and three eastbound lanes of boulevard de la Concorde in Laval collapsed onto Highway 19 about 12:30 p.m. ET. Six adults, four men, two women from vehicles and pedestrian traffic on top of the overpass injured.

At least four cars and one motorcycle tumbled down into the gap created when the overpass fell. Two flattened cars were removed from under the rubble early Sunday. The overpass was built in 1970, and inspected last year. Citizens in the neighborhood did not see any inspection work done this year.

Personally I feel that a busy overpass or bridges should be inspected every few months or so for any damages done from the amount of traffic travelling daily.

Entry #23

Comments

konane - Oct 1, 2006, 12:36 pm

Not implying this is the cause, but first thing that popped into my mind was wondering if anyone removed any bolts in the overpass in order to sell the metal for scrap. Lots of different metals are being stolen in the US for that very reason.

They will probably find it to be fatigue from expansion and contraction.

Todd - Oct 1, 2006, 2:45 pm

Here's a news story about it: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/09/30/overpass-collapse.html

Todd - Oct 1, 2006, 2:48 pm

There is also a video (QuickTime format): http://www.cbc.ca/clips/mov/birbeck-collapse060930.mov

Takes a little while to load, but shows the collapse.

Elizabeth03 - Oct 1, 2006, 5:24 pm

Todd, People saw chunks of concrete falling from the overpass one hour before it collapsed. The city should have closed the overpass off. Tragedy would have been averted then.

Konane, that is terrible that people remove bolts from overpasses to sell the metal.

Rick G - Oct 1, 2006, 7:56 pm

Talking about traffic accidents, we just came back from Peoria, IL and had to drive by 3 different accidents in a 5 mile span. This was in a construction zone and the construction had nothing to do with it, but the ambulances had to negotiate through 2 lanes (shoulder was closed) of stopped traffic for miles. One of the most unusual road trips I've ever taken. Unreal. Is there something in the air or a full moon thing going on?

konane - Oct 1, 2006, 9:35 pm

Rick, must be contageous because the Atlanta metro area has had its share of dreadful accidents recently, one involving an overturned flaming tanker just last week.

truecritic - Oct 2, 2006, 6:49 am

I actually have a thing about refusing to stop under a bridge. Can't say it is a phobia, just something I decided years ago and follow it whenever possible.

Elizabeth03 - Oct 2, 2006, 10:03 am

A second overpass in Laval has been closed as a precaution because it also dated from 1970 and is identical in construction to the one that collapsed over the weekend.
A third overpass in Montreal neighborhood of Outremont was also ordered closed Sunday.

Even before I heard about the overpass in Laval collapsing I have always been frightened of driving under them in the city and crossing bridges thinking they would collapse when I'm there. If I can drive a different route I will do it to as a precaution.

Overpass In Laval, Quebec Collapsed

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