Officials detail 4 construction incidents that inspired PDX airport renovation delay
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Following the delay in construction of the Portland International Airport’s new terminal, the incidents previously referred to by officials as “close calls” on the work site have now been detailed.
The Port of Portland confirmed to KOIN 6 News four separate incidents that inspired the “safety standdown and a temporary pause in construction at PDX,” as first reported by The Oregonian. No one was injured during each of the incidents, which occurred throughout the first half of February.
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The incidents include a worker dropping a pipe wrench that landed behind a ticket counter area, a bucket with material that fell from an elevated platform and debris that fell through a bathroom ceiling. The areas in question that were impacted were unoccupied at the time, however, a person using the unrestricted bathroom had heard debris falling onto the ceiling, which remained intact. The material later broke through the ceiling when the bathroom was unoccupied.
“After-action review has been completed for each to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future,” said Allison Ferre, a Port of Portland spokesperson.
Below is a detailed list of each of the incidents from the Port of Portland’s statement to KOIN 6 News:
Incident #1 (Feb. 6): A worker on the construction side of the temporary wall dropped a pipe wrench and it landed behind a ticket counter area (on the other side of the wall). No one was injured.
Incident #2 (Feb. 9): A bucket with material inside fell off an elevated platform into a restricted area. No one was injured.
Incident #3 (Feb. 9): An airport employee entered an employee-only restroom where demolition was happening above. It was not adequately restricted to prevent employees from entering during that time and they heard debris fall onto the ceiling. It did not fall through, and they left the area. Shortly after, debris caused an access panel in the ceiling to open and it did fall through. The area was unoccupied at that time and no one was injured.
Incident #4 (Feb. 12): A metal soffit panel being installed was dropped from a lift and landed in the ticket counter area outside a protective barrier—which was set up to protect anyone from getting too close to the work area. It was unoccupied at the time and no one was injured.
The Port of Portland originally announced the construction pause on the terminal in late February. However, officials did not elaborate on the specifics at the time.
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Nevertheless, the hype plane for the airport’s remodel has continued to soar, such as the announcement from PDX that more installations of its iconic carpet — using the classic pattern but with brand new material — will soon be found in new areas for travelers to enjoy.
The first phased reopening of sections of the renovated airport was previously announced to be occurring in May. However, it’s unclear if the recent construction delays will postpone the public unveiling.
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