Ironworkers and others resumed construction of the I-280 bridge yesterday, just a day after many attended the last of four funerals for the victims of last week s fatal bridge collapse.
An estimated 240 employees returned to jobs in the cement casting yard, the pylon construction area, and on debris removal, Richard Martinko, ODOT s assistant director for highway management, said.
Mike Reinbolt, business manager for Cement Masons and Plasterers Local 886, said it was a difficult day for many.
“They never really go back to normal,” he said.
Many of the workers returned to work stations with the wreckage in their line of sight, he said. “It hurts every time you drive by it,” he said.
The cleanup began yesterday with some of the same ironworkers on site Feb. 16, the day of the accident, Mr. Martinko said. In addition to the four who died, four were hurt.
The work is necessary before the northbound lanes of I-280 can be opened to through traffic, officials with the Ohio Department of Transportation said. However, northbound I-280 was opened yesterday from State Rt. 795 to State Rt. 2 for use by local traffic.
With the complicated task of removing the interconnecting girders and cables, the cleanup will proceed with necessary caution, Mr. Martinko said.
“We re proceeding on this project in a very safe but expeditious manner,” he said.
ODOT has two major pieces of debris to remove this week: the back legs of the main truss that is dangling from one of the piers and held up by cables, and a short section of the truss that is sticking into the roadway.
Mr. Martinko said the two pieces should be removed by the end of the week. At the same time, ODOT intends to put up a temporary six-foot barrier to limit motorists ability to look at the cleanup site.
The cleanup then will focus on the 160-ton underbridge - the piece of debris that is currently leaning against a 75-foot-tall pier. It is used to help position the truss crane from one set of piers to the next. Several of those killed or injured were struck by the underbridge when it fell.
As investigators conduct preliminary interviews and observe the state of the debris, Mr. Martinko said no one is looking at any specific cause of the collapse. He said investigators want to remain open to any possibility.
As work resumes, for many, remaining off the job site another day simply isn t an option. It s a paycheck, and potential danger comes with it, said Ted Kicielinski, an executive assistant with the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Ironworkers in Washington.
“It s part of what we do,” he said. “We know we re taking a risk. It s part of the deal.”
Last year the association of 100,000 members, while, working in the field, lost 13 to work-related accidents.
So far this year, the international association has lost four workers: those killed in Toledo last week. They were Robert Lipinski, Jr., 44, of Grand Rapids, Ohio; Mike Moreau, 30, of Lambertville; Mike Phillips, 42, of South Toledo, and Arden Clark, 47, of West Toledo.
The injured included Mark Buck, 47, of Swanton; Al Hedge, 46, of Bradner, Ohio; Josh Collins, 26, of East Toledo, and Roger Henneman, 43, of Curtice. Mr. Buck was released from the hospital last week; Mr. Collins was released to a rehabilitation center Monday, and Mr. Henneman was released yesterday.
Mr. Hedge was in fair condition at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center. Mr. Hedge and Mr. Buck are with the operating engineers union; all the others are ironworkers.
First Published February 25, 2004, 1:37 p.m.
