Further Examination of the East Chicago, Indiana, Highway Ramp Collapse Could Help Prevent Similar Accidents

Highlights

In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the adequacy of the Federal Government's investigation of the collapse of a highway ramp under construction in East Chicago, Indiana, to determine whether the investigation is employing all available resources. The project is 90-percent funded by the Department of Transportation. On April 15, 1982, three sections of the ramp collapsed, killing 13 workers and injuring 17 others.

Recommendations

Matter for Congressional Consideration

Matter	Status	Comments
Congress should, in its current deliberations on the need to authorize an existing Federal agency to investigate structural failures, provide that such an agency have the specific responsibility for the total Federal investigative effort whenever a major accident occurs on Federal and federally assisted construction projects. This authority should provide for the agency to conduct independent investigations of both the technical causes and systemic aspects of accidents.	Closed – Not Implemented	Congress is no longer considering the authorization of an existing Federal agency to investigate structural failures. Therefore, the recommendation that Congress also give such an agency the specific responsibility for the total investigative effort of failures on Federal and federally-assisted projects is no longer valid.

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
Department of Transportation	The Secretaries of Labor and Transportation should review appropriate Federal and State responsibilities, standards, requirements, control and monitoring procedures, and other appropriate systemic aspects of the Riley Road-Cline Avenue ramp's construction. The objectives of this review should be to determine if improvements are needed for similar projects in Indiana and in other States. To have a more comprehensive review, the Secretaries should seek the cooperation of Indiana OSHA and the Indiana Department of Highways in examining systemic aspects of the ramp collapse.	Closed – Implemented When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Labor	The Secretaries of Labor and Transportation should review appropriate Federal and State responsibilities, standards, requirements, control and monitoring procedures, and other appropriate systemic aspects of the Riley Road-Cline Avenue ramp's construction. The objectives of this review should be to determine if improvements are needed for similar projects in Indiana and in other States. To have a more comprehensive review, the Secretaries should seek the cooperation of Indiana OSHA and the Indiana Department of Highways in examining systemic aspects of the ramp collapse.	Closed – Implemented When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

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