Date:  Friday, January 11, 2013

Contact:

Claudia Bingham Baker, WSDOT Communications, 360-704-3270 (Tumwater)

TACOMA – A section of a concrete pillar known as a tetrapod fell on the shoulder of South Tacoma Way during demolition activities on the I-5/SR 16 Eastbound Nalley Valley project around 2 p.m. today.

A safety buffer was in place, per standard practice, at the time and traffic was safely rerouted around the construction zone. No one was injured.

The fallen tetrapod – one of many that held up the old SR 16 Eastbound Nalley Valley Bridge – ruptured a water line, and a gas line is suspected to be compromised. Utility and emergency responders are on the scene to ensure safety.

The Washington State Department of Transportation and contractor Mowat Construction have stopped demolition activities pending a thorough review of the demolition operation.

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