Sign on Calgary hotel secured after concerns over it falling prompted street closures

Pedestrian and vehicle traffic were diverted in part of downtown Calgary on Friday afternoon as a sign atop a hotel was at risk of falling.

The Calgary Fire Department said firefighters were called to the downtown core after receiving a call about concerns over the sign on top of the Sandman Hotel.

0:13 Video captures crews working on broken high-rise sign in downtown Calgary

As a precaution, 7 Avenue between 7 and 8 streets S.W. were shut down to all traffic, according to CFD spokesperson Carol Henke.

Photos from the scene showed firefighters stringing caution tape across the streets and crews up on the sign, appearing to try to secure it.

Henke said the 911 call came in from a passerby who said the sign appeared to be loose.

“Our technical rescue team was dispatched and they actually sent someone over the edge to drill holes through the wall, and then secure the rectangular metal piece to the wall with rope so that it was secure should the wind pick up again,” Henke said.

Traffic in the area was shut down for about two hours while crews worked to secure the sign.

Henke said working in the high winds was also risky for the workers that responded, adding monitoring for safety is important.

Calgary Transit tweeted at 3:34 p.m. that the 8 Street station had reopened and trains were moving through the downtown core normally.

Calgary police said officers were called to the scene at about 2:35 p.m. to help Calgary Fire with road closures and Calgary Transit with the LRT impacts.

A high wind warning was issued for much of southern Alberta, including Calgary, on Friday as Environment Canada forecast wind gusts of up to 100 kilometres per hour in some areas.