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Temporary support failure at Lathem Street bridge delays project; DOT and DNR inspections completed
Summary
Contractor falsework failed during a concrete pour on the Lathem Street bridge, dropping a portion of the deck into the river; the city, DOT and DNR inspected the site, crews removed material, falsework was re-engineered with added supports and rebar cages, and staff now expect a potential late-July completion (down from a Sept. 3 original date).
City staff reported a construction failure during a concrete deck pour on the Lathem Street bridge that caused the temporary support system to shear, slump and drop some concrete into the water.
Why it matters: The incident caused material to fall into the river, required environmental coordination with the DNR and DOT inspections, and shifted the construction schedule; the city escalated inspections and required additional falsework strengthening to ensure structural safety before the deck cures.
Public works staff said the poured deck is 28 inches thick and that, during the final truck of a pour, a temporary bracket supporting a beam had a crack and the beam sheared off from its mount. The concrete slab then slumped in the center where plywood and 4x4s had been supporting it as the falsework failed. Crews removed accessible debris from the river and will remove the remainder when water levels permit (DNR authorization required). The contractor engaged structural engineers, doubled temporary beam supports and installed rebar cages; ironworkers placed new rebar and the formwork has been reassembled for the curing pour.
The city requested and received DOT and DNR inspections to confirm abutments and in-water conditions were not damaged and to clear the way for remediation. Staff said they expect to make up time and now anticipate a possible late-July completion rather than the original Sept. 3 date.
The mayor and staff thanked crews for the rapid response; staff emphasized that the re-engineered falsework and additional inspections were critical steps in addressing the failure and protecting the river environment until full removal is feasible.
