A portion of scaffolding at the arena construction site along River Road collapsed today sending three workers to the hospital. Some time between 10:18 and 10:31 this morning, crews were working to pour a concrete slab for the main concourse when the temporary substructure gave way. Two workers suffered minor scrapes and abrasions while rebar punctured another’s arm. The construction site has been shut down while firefighters and federal OSHA inspectors take a look at the problem.
Tiny orange dots in photos above from the Louisville Arena Authority‘s construction cam represent workers pouring concrete. The added weight apparently caused the collapse, but no official cause has been released. Calls were referred to general contractor M.A. Mortenson Co’s corporate office, and we couldn’t get through today. The collapse does not affect the structural integrity of the arena itself and construction is still reportedly on schedule.
The scene on River Road today was a waterfall of rebar over a main construction entrance. From the sidewalk, you can see remnants of concrete that had already been poured, but much of the concrete in the area of the collapse has likely already fallen away. A wooden safety rail hangs idly over the collapse.
- Louisville Arena Authority (Official Site)
- More coverage of the arena construction from Broken Sidewalk
