Survey underway after Gardiner Expressway ramp demolition debris crashed into truck window – Toronto | The Canadian News

Officials overseeing the demolition of the eastern ramps of the Gardiner Expressway as part of a major rebuilding project launched an investigation after debris fell into the rear window of a pickup truck.

“I was a bit shocked and trying to make sense of what the heck had just happened, and then (I) put two and two together looking up and seeing something just heavy and big fell off and broke my window.” Andrew Addison, who was behind the wheel of the vehicle, told Global News on Friday afternoon.

He said he was driving in the Lake Shore Boulevard East area near Don Roadway on Thursday when the incident occurred, adding that he was pulled over at a red light.

“A big crash sound, almost like a bomb. I thought I was rear-ended, ”Addison recalled as he described the sound, noting that he began to see lines of cracks in the rear window right after.

“Half a second later, everything fell apart.”

Addison said he called Toronto police right after the incident occurred. He said that when he called the city of Toronto about the damage, they told him to call the construction company.

“You wonder where the ball stops in these situations,” he said.

The City of Toronto and Waterfront Toronto permanently closed the ramps connecting the Gardiner Expressway to Lake Shore Boulevard East (roughly between Don Roadway and Logan Avenue, west of Carlaw Avenue) on the night of August 31.

Through November there will be intermittent closures in the area surrounding the remains of the ramps as crews continue to demolish. Eventually, Lake Shore Boulevard East will be rebuilt and there will be improvements to the Don River. The project could last until 2024.

Andrew Tumilty, a spokesman for Waterfront Toronto, told Global News in a written statement that the workplace is “continuously monitored” for safety concerns.

“We are relieved that no one was injured in this incident. Upon learning of the incident, our construction company, EllisDon, was alerted and is investigating to determine what may have caused the damage, “he said, adding that no work was being carried out nearby at the time.

“If it is determined that additional safety precautions could have prevented this incident, those recommendations will be implemented.”

A Toronto police spokesman confirmed that officers were called to the area and searched nearby structures, adding that “nothing of concern was found.” Addison was redirected to a crash reporting center to file a report.

Coun. Paula Fletcher, who represents the area where the demolition project is taking place, said she noticed rubble and rebar at the top of the curves (the piers that supported the deck of the old bridge) and wants to see them taken measures.

“Come here and clean the top of these, that would be my recommendation,” he told Global News.

“This is a transformation project, but number one is the safety of all road users during the demolition of the Gardiner and the rebuilding of the river.”

Meanwhile, Addison said he was glad his wife and young son weren’t in the vehicle and debris didn’t get through his front windshield or sunroof.

“I was thinking this could have been a lot worse,” he said.