I-17 101 traffic interchange

Two contractor employees injured at Grand Avenue/Bell Road construction site

Two contractor employees injured at Grand Avenue/Bell Road construction site

June 9, 2016

PHOENIX ‒ A girder being installed for an overpass under construction at Grand Avenue (US 60) and Bell Road in Surprise fell Thursday just after 10 a.m. while being placed above the railroad line running parallel to Grand Avenue. Two employees of the contractor working on this project were injured.

The Arizona Department of Transportation’s first concern is for the injured and for ensuring the safety of those at this work site. We are grateful to Surprise police and fire personnel for their rapid response and care for the injured.

ADOT officials are investigating what occurred and why. We strive to improve safety both within the transportation system and within ADOT. This will guide our investigation.

ADOT is coordinating with the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health on reviewing the scene of the incident and with the BNSF Railway on resuming the flow of trains through the area, when it is appropriate to do so. Cleanup was underway Thursday afternoon.

After installing 24 girders on a span east of the railroad line, the contractor on Thursday morning was adding 150-foot girders to a span crossing the railroad line. Two cranes were used to lift the girders into place, aided by personnel atop the piers.

The girder that fell was the sixth that had been installed Thursday morning.