The Maumee Avenue Bridge collapsed Wednesday during contractor work, dropping giant slabs of concrete atop train tracks below.
Crews on scene were working on the bridge at Maumee and Emerald avenues about 2 p.m. when ensuing vibration snapped it in half. No injuries were reported.
Neighbor Joseph Stegman, 43, was home at the time. He said the collapse sounded like his house would cave in.
“We heard a big boom. We felt our whole house shake,” he said.
They typically notice a vibration from the work and previously took everything off the walls to keep items from breaking, he said.
VIDEO: Toledo City Councilman Peter Ujvagi
Rachel McDonnell, a spokesman for Norfolk Southern, said Wednesday afternoon the company was still evaluating whether the collapsed bridge would affect the company’s operations, adding that the double-track line under the bridge is one of the company’s main lines connecting Toledo and Chicago.
“Norfolk Southern personnel are on the scene assessing the situation and working to resume operations as easily and quickly as possible,” the spokesman said, adding she doesn’t know how many trains run under the bridge daily.
Trains were operating on the tracks by Wednesday evening.
Councilman Peter Ujvagi was among those who came to the scene. He said his first reaction was concern for everyone’s safety, then worry about area access.
The neighborhood is isolated from construction, Mr. Ujvagi said.
“I will continue to insist we need two routes into this neighborhood, or any neighborhood, for the safety and convenience of the community,” he said.
It is too early tell about what effect on the project’s timeline this will have, he said.
State Rep. Michael Sheehy (D., Toledo), who represents the South Toledo district, said he is grateful nobody was hurt. It could have been “a tragedy of monumental proportions had it fallen on a train laden with hazardous materials,” he said.
Maumee Avenue was closed in November while the bridge over Norfolk Southern’s main line through Toledo is replaced. The road was scheduled to be closed for 270 days.
Miller Brothers Construction of Archbold holds a contract of about $3.9 million for the project, which also includes rebuilding Maumee between High and Hobart streets and part of Emerald Avenue near Maumee.
First Published April 3, 2019, 6:48 p.m.
