Bricks from wall under McCormick Place Lakeside Center fall onto DuSable Lake Shore
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Drivers had to dodge a few bricks Monday night along DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
The Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority said bricks from a retaining wall under the under the McCormick Place Lakeside Center buckled and crumbled – sending debris onto the northbound lanes of the Drive. Most of the debris ended up on the shoulder, with some in the right-hand lane, MPEA said.
At least two cars were damaged by falling debris. The Fire Department said no one was hurt.
MPEA said traffic was being blocked in the right lane of the northbound Drive and from the northbound Stevenson Expressway ramp.
Crews from the city, state, and McPier were removing debris from the road and also removing additional façade bricks from the wall. The cause was unknown, and structural engineers will investigate.
Chicago's Department of Buildings released the following statement:
"A portion of the exterior decorative brick façade which covers the main west concrete structural wall on McCormick Place's Lakeside Building came loose from the concrete wall and fell onto two lanes of northbound Du Sable drive after the evening rush hour. There have been no reported injuries.
The main structural concrete wall remains intact. IDOT has rerouted northbound traffic on the impacted portion of northbound Du Sable Drive. City personnel from the Chicago departments of Buildings, Fire, and Transportation were immediately called onto the scene to assist the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MEPA) which is the government agency that owns and operates McCormick Place.
The MEPA will have a structural engineer firm on scene to assess the façade and take all necessary measures to to secure the remaining façade. The safety of the public and commuters on Du Sable Drive is the primary concern for the City and City departments which will coordinate with IDOT, the Illinois State Police, and the MEPA to ensure that the area is safe to reopen for northbound traffic on Du Sable Drive."
