Ont. Ministry of Infrastructure halts work on $1.4B highway

Ontario's Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure ordered a stop to the installation of girders on the $1.4 billion Herb Gray Parkway in Windsor.

"I have become aware of an issue regarding some of the girders on the Rt. Hon Herb Gray Parkway," Glen Murray said in a media release. "This is of great concern to me."

Officials with the ministryprovided more details through email.

"Approximately 560 girders in question were manufactured in a way that does not meet the requirements of the Bridge Code. Of the 560, about 320 girders were installed at two unopened structures Tunnel 2, known as the Labelle Tunnel and Tunnel 7, known as the Villa Borghese Tunnel.

"The one tunnel and three bridges already open to traffic have been built with girders that meet the requirements of the Code."

Officials said the girders in question do not meet the requirements of the Bridge Code.

"560 girders were produced using tack welding, which is not permitted under the Bridge Code unless approved by the ministry."

In a separate email, a ministry official expanded on this.

"Tack welding can be used to hold reinforcing steel in place while the girder is being manufactured. Tack welding can weaken the reinforcing steel if not done properly."

The officials also said that the Ministry of Transportation "first became aware that the girders in question did not meet the requirements of the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code in late 2012 and has been working with Infrastructure Ontario, the project manager, to gather information in order to develop a solution. The Minister was first briefed by MTO and IO officials on June 19, 2013."

Premier Kathleen Wynne was in Windsor on Monday, on business not related to the parkway project. But she did make comments and respond to questions.

"We'll do what is necessary to make sure it's [the parkway] is built correctly. And that's the position we're taking today on the girder situation," said Wynne. The premier added that she only learned about the issue on Sunday.

While further installation of the girders in question has ceased other work on the project continues.

"I will be asking independent experts to look into the situation and advise the government within 30 days on the safety and durability of these girders, and to make recommendations," Murray said.

The girders in question will be removed unless the safety and durability can be assured and any compliance concerns are addressed.

Murray never specified the problem with the girders and did not say in which parts of the parkway they have already been installed.

"Moving forward, I am working with the Ministries of Infrastructure and Transportation and Infrastructure Ontario management teams to review the administration of this contract and ensure the project company will fully comply with the contract and with the safety codes and standards," Murray said. "I will also work with officials in reviewing how this contract was administered and to ensure we have a better process in place in the future."

Murray said the safety of Ontario's infrastructure is a "top priority."

"We will ensure that the safety of the parkway is not compromised," Murray said. "Windsor, and the whole Ontario economy, needs this project, which is creating jobs and will move goods and people quickly across the border."

Once finished, the parkway will join Highway 401 with the new Detroit River International Crossing that will span the Detroit River from west Windsor to the Delray neighbourhood in Detroit.

Parkway spokespersons Cindy Prince and Heather Grondin both directed all media requests to Murray.

Mark Butler, spokesperson for the Transport Canada Windsor Gateway Project, which includes the new bridge, said he had no comment because he doesn't have "day to day contact" with parkway officials.

A spokesperson for Windsor's Prestressed Group, which manufactures concrete girdersat itsWalker Roadfacility for the parkway constructionsaidit is not their girders in question.