Shoring collapse closes busy thoroughfare

PCL Constructors Canada Inc is undertaking repairs on a section of shoring that gave way at the construction site of a new hospital in Winnipeg, while the cause of the collapse is still under investigation.

“We ended up having to close the entire block of Sherbrook Street because they (PCL) need to do some back filling,” said Felicia Wiltshire, spokesperson for the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.

“Two lanes were blocked to make sure the site was safe, while this work is done. Right now, we believe the collapse was caused by water and rain.”

A section of shoring along Sherbrook Street at the site of the new Women’s and Newborn Hospital partially collapsed early in the morning on Mar. 21.

There were no injuries and the damage was limited to a small section of property.

“PCL is leading the investigation into the cause of the collapse, which is still underway,” said Wiltshire.

Construction officials and engineers are assessing the situation and have started remedial work to repair a concrete retaining wall.

As a result, all four lanes of Sherbrook Street between Elgin and William Avenues were closed.

Initial indications are that heavy and unseasonal rain on Mar. 19 was an important factor in the weakening of the structure.

It is believed that subsurface ice and recent rainfall may have weakened the area, though the exact cause will be determined by geotechnical engineers.

Part of a retaining wall, made from concrete beams, dropped as much as five feet.

PCL estimates it will take two weeks to complete the repairs.

Construction of the new $239 million hospital began officially on June 24, 2011 with a groundbreaking ceremony.

The 173 bed hospital will replace the existing 60-year old Women’s Pavilion.

The five-storey, 385,000 square foot structure will be located on the former Weston Bakery site.

Excavation and foundation work is being undertaken by PCL Constructors Canada Inc.

About 2,000 jobs are expected to be created during construction.

The new hospital will include a number of improvements in patient care.