The Ontario government has hired a group of experts in structural engineering to review concerns about certain concrete girders used on the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway.
The group will make recommendations on next steps. It is chaired by Harvey J. Kirsh, a recognized authority in construction law.
The experts will assess the safety, durability, quality and performance of girders containing tack-welded steel, according to a news release by the Ministry of Transportation. Part of the review will involve assessing the girders' compliance with any applicable act, code or regulation.
“The safety of Ontario's infrastructure is our top priority and we will ensure that the safety of the Parkway is not compromised,” says Glen Murray, Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure.
The girders in question will be removed if their safety and durability cannot be assured and compliance concerns cannot be addressed.
The review will focus on the use of a number of concrete girders installed in tunnels, on which construction is not completed and are not open to the public.
Experts have been asked to submit findings and recommendations to the government by the end of August.
All findings will be made public.
