A construction operation in Detroit related to the Gordie Howe International Bridge (GHIB) is believed to be responsible for a street collapse.
The Detroit News reported Monday that a section of West Fort Street in southwest Detroit partially collapsed on Sunday, June 5. Crews were working on the U.S. approaches to the bridge and performed sheet piling.
"A road failure occurred in the area of West Fort and Calvary Streets in Detroit on Sunday, June 5," said Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) spokesperson Tara Carson in an email to WindsorNewsToday.ca. "The road failure caused the compromised concrete to collapse inward in an area approximately 100 feet in length."
It was not known exactly what caused the collapse, and an investigation into what went wrong is underway. The paper reported that Bridging North America, the consortium overseeing the construction operation at the bridge site, is leading the investigation with the WDBA and the Michigan Department of Transportation.
There were no reports of injuries, as there was no scheduled work taking place at the time of the incident.
West Fort Street between Livernois Avenue and Campbell Street has been closed since the incident, creating a challenge for commuters. Carson said one lane of West Fort in each direction could be reopened as soon as Tuesday, but delays are still possible. Commuters from Windsor who use that route are urged to find an alternate way to get around.
The British-based website Designing Buildings has defined sheet piling as a construction method in which sections of sheet steel with interlocking edges are driven into the ground to provide permanent or temporary earth retention and excavation support.
It is not known how much this incident will set back the construction of the GHIB, which has been running on schedule and is on track for an opening to traffic by fall 2024.
