Investigators collect clues while cleaning up Willits bridge debris

Construction crews have begun clearing a massive pile of splintered wood, concrete and steel outside Willits, the remains of an elevated section of the Highway 101 bypass that collapsed Thursday afternoon, briefly trapping two workers and sending three to hospitals.

The cause of the viaduct collapse remains under investigation and Caltrans officials continue to comb the wreckage for clues to what went wrong, Caltrans spokesman Phil Frisbie said Monday.

“We are gathering forensic information as the debris is being cleared, so it is still too early to speculate on a cause,” he said.

The 150-foot span collapsed as workers were pouring concrete into the frame for the bridge. The viaduct is part of the estimated $275 million bypass being constructed around Willits.

Two workers were trapped under debris when the bridge collapsed with a loud boom that could be heard in town. One man was able to crawl out on his own and refused treatment, according to Little Lake Fire Protection District officials. The other was transported to a hospital in Santa Rosa with major injuries. Two others suffered moderate injuries and one had minor injuries, fire officials said. Cal OSHA - which reports only “serious” injuries that require hospitalization - cited three injuries.

The workers involved in the incident were employed by Flatiron West - a Caltrans contractor - and AECOM, a subcontractor, fire department officials said. Their names and medical conditions have not been released.

The collapse also dumped wet concrete into Haehl Creek, which runs under the bridge. Wet concrete contains lime, which is toxic to fish, but state Fish and Wildlife officials on Friday reported they’d found no dead fish. Haehl Creek was diverted to another stream above the collapse in an effort to limit damage to the creek.

The controversial 5.9-mile project, now 60 percent complete, has been delayed by protests, lawsuits and run-ins with regulatory agencies.

Opponents say the project - aimed at reducing traffic jams through Willits - is bigger than necessary, is causing environmental damage and is ruining the once-bucolic Little Lake Valley east of Willits. Some Willits business owners are worried it will further harm the economy by shunting potential customers around the city.

Frisbie expects the cleanup from the bridge collapse - which began Saturday - will be completed at the end of the week. It includes restoring the damaged stream bed, he said.

You can reach Staff Writer Glenda Anderson at 462-6473 or glenda.anderson@pressdemocrat.com.