Video footage shared on social media shows a wall collapsing at a Coquitlam construction site Wednesday afternoon.
In a video uploaded to YouTube, a retaining wall can be seen slowly giving way with loud cracks being heard. About halfway through the video, the wall completely collapses as soil pours down into the excavated space.
“Everybody off,” one person yells at the end of the video as workers got off the site.
The incident occurred at the Amacon construction site located at 500 Foster Avenue and North Road yesterday afternoon.
“There was a shoring failure incident at the Amacon construction site located at 500 Foster Avenue and North Road in Coquitlam late yesterday afternoon,” said Stepan Vdovine ,Vice President, Executive Operations at Amacon.
“A section of the shoring retention wall, located on the north side of the site (and adjacent to Foster Avenue) failed, resulting in soil collapsing into the excavated site and a cavity in the soil in the area adjacent to the property. All work on site had attained the required permits, and thoroughly vetted and monitored by the geotechnical and engineering consultants,” added Vdovine in a statement sent to Anywhere Vancouver.
The cause of the shoring failure is currently under investigation. Amacon confirms no injuries occurred.
WorkSafe has been to the construction site and has “expressed no concern regarding site safety”.
“In addition, no immediate infrastructure damage is apparent. We are working with the City of Coquitlam and all relevant agencies and authorities on immediate remediation.”
Crews are “working around the clock” in response to this incident.
In the meantime, the 500 block of Foster Street will remain closed to traffic and pedestrians until all appropriate safety approvals are received.
“We sincerely apologize to local residents for any inconvenience as we work diligently to secure the site.”
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