MONTREAL – A report is blaming last summer’s collapse of a huge concrete slab onto an expressway in Montreal on shoddy preparation ahead of construction work.
Transport Minister Pierre Moreau says not enough was done to ensure the concrete would not collapse during the work.
Speaking in Montreal today, Moreau said the Quebec government will also seek financial compensation from the consortium of companies involved in the pre-construction tests.
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The fallen structure, known as a paralume, measured about 15 metres in length and weighed an estimated 25 tonnes. The paralume was composed of several concrete blocks designed to prevent glare as drivers entered the tunnel.
No one was injured in the Sunday morning collapse in the Ville-Marie tunnel last July.
But police said at the time the incident could have had disastrous consequences had it had occurred on a weekday.
The tunnel is usually filled with bumper-to-bumper traffic during morning and afternoon rush hours – Monday through Friday.
About 100,000 vehicles use the expressway during an average weekday, according to Transport Quebec.
The near-disaster fuelled local concern about the decaying state of Montreal’s roads and some national discussion about funding levels for municipal infrastructure.
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