Fatal Construction Accident on I-90 Bridge in Des Plaines: What Happened and What Can We Learn?
On April 5, 2016, a tragic accident occurred at a construction site on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Des Plaines, Illinois. A 45-ton beam fell from the bridge over Touhy Avenue, killing one worker and injuring three others. The incident raised questions about the safety of the bridge demolition and construction project, which was part of the Illinois Tollway’s plan to build a new interchange connecting I-90 to the new I-490 Tollway.
Background on the Project
The I-90 bridge project in Des Plaines was part of a larger effort by the Illinois Tollway to improve mobility and access in the region. The project involved replacing the existing bridge with a wider and longer one, adding lanes and shoulders, and installing new lighting and signage. The project also included building a new, full-access interchange that would connect I-90 to the new I-490 Tollway, which would link businesses and communities with O’Hare International Airport and other major transportation hubs.
The general contractor for the project was Judlau Contracting Inc., a New York-based company that specializes in heavy civil construction. The subcontractor for the bridge demolition was Omega Demolition Corp., an Elgin-based company that provides demolition and environmental services.
The Type of Structure
The I-90 bridge over Touhy Avenue was a steel girder bridge, which consists of horizontal beams supported by vertical columns or piers. The beams span the gap between the piers and carry the weight of the roadway deck and traffic. The beams are usually made of steel sections that are welded or bolted together.
The Collapse and Its Cause
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which investigated the accident, the collapse occurred when Omega Demolition workers were removing a large support beam from the bridge. The workers were standing in aerial lifts and cutting steel bracing between two beams when one of them collapsed on them. OSHA determined that Omega Demolition overstressed the beam during demolition, causing it to fail. OSHA also found that Omega Demolition did not follow federal safety standards for preventing steel structures from being overstressed, such as using enough support straps to hold the beam.
Lessons Learned
The fatal construction accident on I-90 bridge in Des Plaines was a preventable tragedy that exposed serious safety violations by Omega Demolition. OSHA cited Omega Demolition for four willful violations and three serious violations, and fined it $152,433. OSHA also placed Omega Demolition in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which subjects employers who repeatedly or egregiously violate safety standards to more inspections and enforcement actions.
The Illinois Tollway also took action against Omega Demolition and Judlau Contracting after the accident. The Tollway removed Omega Demolition from all Tollway projects and rescinded its permission to work for the Tollway. The Tollway also removed the manager for Judlau Contracting and an engineer supervisor from all Tollway projects. The Tollway hired alternative contractors to finish the bridge demolition and construction work.
The accident also highlighted the need for more oversight and accountability in the construction industry, especially for complex and high-risk projects like bridge demolition and construction. The accident also underscored the importance of following safety standards and regulations, using proper equipment and procedures, and ensuring adequate training and supervision for workers.
The accident also reminded us of the human cost of construction accidents, and the need to protect the lives and health of workers and the public. The accident also called for more awareness and respect for the work that construction workers do, and the risks they face every day.
Learn More
If you want to learn more about the fatal construction accident on I-90 bridge in Des Plaines, you can visit the following links:
- [OSHA News Release](https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/region5/10122016)
- [Illinois Tollway Project Overview](https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-elgin-company-fined-osha-fatal-construction-accident-met-20161018-story.html)
(1) Elgin co. fined, cited in fatal construction accident on I-90 bridge. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-elgin-company-fined-osha-fatal-construction-accident-met-20161018-story.html.
(2) OSHA says fatal I-90 construction accident was ‘preventable’. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-des-plaines-construction-accident-20160405-story.html.
(3) Construction worker killed after bridge beam falls along I-90 in Des …. https://abc7chicago.com/construction-accident-incident-workers-hurt-bridge-beam-falls/1276868/.
(4) Construction worker killed after bridge beam falls along I-90 in Des …. https://abc13.com/construction-accident-incident-workers-hurt-bridge-beam-falls/1277513/.
(5) . https://bing.com/search?q=I-90+bridge+project+Des+Plaines.
(6) I-490/I-90 Interchange Project — Illinois Tollway. https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/490/90-interchange.
(7) Construction Releases — Illinois Department of Transportation. https://idot.illinois.gov/about-idot/stay-connected/news-releases/Construction/releases.
(8) I-90 Bridge Deck Reconstruction over the Des Plaines River. https://www.gec-group.com/projects/i-90-bridge-deck-reconstruction-over-the-des-plaines-river/.
(9) Occupational Safety and Health Administration. https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/region5/10122016.
