Construction Accident Stops Work On First Day Of Cass Bridge Project

Work was halted Monday on the first day of construction on the Cass Street bridge project in downtown Traverse City due to a construction accident in which two SkyTraks tipped over.

Workers from construction contractor Anlaan were operating the two SkyTraks to lower a floating barge work platform onto the Boardman River when both pieces of construction equipment tipped over, according to Traverse City Clerk Benjamin Marentette. "No injuries occurred," he says. "There was a small amount of fluid that leaked and has been contained. We notified the appropriate local and county agencies, and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) representatives are on their way."

Marentette says the cause of the accident is still under investigation and unknown at this time. Other local contractors were routed to the scene Monday to help right the construction equipment. Marentette says any impacts from the accident on bridge work and the overall construction timeline is likely to be "relatively negligible."