Design flaws on supporting girders of a pedestrian bridge under construction at Wake Technical Community College led to a collapse that killed one worker and injured four others in November, according to a state report.
But Stewart Engineering Inc. won’t be fined or cited for the flaws by the state Department of Labor because there are no occupational codes or health standards for bridge design, the agency said in its letter to the company released Friday.
Instead, the agency sent its findings to the state Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors to review.
Workers were pouring concrete for the bridge deck when it collapsed in November. A second bridge being constructed nearby collapsed hours later, but no one was hurt.
The report concluded notches in the girders were designed poorly, which prevented both bridges from being able to carry the weight of the structures.
Stewart Engineering released a statement, saying it cooperated fully with the initial investigation and will continue to do so.
“Because of ongoing investigations, it is not appropriate for us to discuss this matter publicly at this time,” the company said in its statement. “We continue to assist and work earnestly with all the involved parties to move the process forward.”
Topics Trends North Carolina
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