Contractor only requested one road closure before deadly Seattle crane collapse

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

One of the contractors involved in a fatal crane collapse in South Lake Union only asked for one road closure during the crane’s disassembly, allowing Mercer Street to remain open.

Four people died when the tower crane collapsed Saturday: two ironworkers, and two people on Mercer Street.

Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) records show that Omega Morgan, one of five companies now being investigated for the collapse, only asked for Valley Street to be closed during the removal. Records also revealed the company asked to perform the two-day disassembly the prior weekend, but SDOT rejected the request citing an event conflict.

The company’s request falls in line with similar removal plans and current city guidelines.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/contractor-only-requested-one-road-closure-before-deadly-seattle-crane-collapse/ar-AAAKOAa

[redstatebluegirl]

1. Developers and Contractors will do whatever they can do to come in on time and on budget.

The way the contracts are written it makes it impossible for them to take the needed precautions.

[LisaM]

2. And there aren't enough workers to keep up with demand.

We're having some internal work done in our office (right outside my door, as I write this) and it was all supposed to be done on weekends and at night, but we were informed that there is a construction worker shortage so it has to be done during work hours.

Seattle needs to start managing the growth. This is insane.

[redstatebluegirl]

3. Yep, the only way they get paid the bonus is if they are on time and on budget.

Now it has become impossible to find workers to do the work we are not producing enough workers with plumbing, electrical and basic construction experience.

[LisaM]

4. Amen to that.

But in Seattle it's out of control - more cranes than any other city in the US, and no sign of it stopping. We had notice about a crane dismantling a block away from us a few days from now (for a terrible project that never should have been approved; they knocked down a historically significant building that was over 100 years old and was extremely attractive to put up a towering eyesore), and all of a sudden I know what that means and don't want to be anywhere nearby when it happens.