Inquiry into Laval Overpass Collapse Underway
An inquiry into the collapse of the Boulevard de la Concorde overpass in Laval, Quebec was launched last month, and public hearings are currently underway. On September 30, 2006, five people died, and six others were injured when a section of the concrete overpass fell, crushing cars on the highway below.
Former Quebec Premier Pierre Marc Johnson is heading the inquiry commission, assisted by former presidents of l’Order des Ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ), Armand Couture, ing., and Roger Nicolet, ing. The commission has been asked by the provincial government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse, determine the cause, and make recommendations to prevent future occurrences. The inquiry will not determine legal liability.
The inquiry will be looking into the materials used to the build the concrete structure, the site supervisor’s credentials and the repair work done on the overpass since its construction in 1970.
To date, the commission has heard testimony that the Concorde overpass had visible signs of deterioration prior to collapse. A former Transport Quebec engineer, responsible for conducting regular inspections of the Concorde overpass in 1985, testified that he had recommended maintenance work on the aging structure to repair leaking joints, however his requests were ignored. Those repairs were performed seven years later in 1992.
The senior engineer responsible for designing the overpass has also testified that plans were not followed during construction. After viewing photos of the collapse, he noticed that there were too few steel reinforcement bars, which were neither long enough, nor in the right place.
Witnesses have indicated that it wasn’t clear who was in charge during the construction of the overpass.
“The Commission's findings are of the greatest interest to l’Ordre. Having been granted intervener status by the Commission, we will be present throughout the public hearings,” said OIQ President, Zaki Ghavitian, ing.
As the regulatory body responsible for the practice of engineering in Quebec, OIQ has the authority to investigate allegations and to take disciplinary action against a member if it is proven that an engineer has violated the Code of Ethics as well as regulations within the Engineers Act and the Professional Code.
The inquiry’s report is due October 15, 2007.
With files from the CBC.