Ice damages tower on Batavia bridge

An ice floe is likely responsible for the collapse of a shoring tower on the Batavia bridge Monday.

The tower for an outlook on the north side of the bridge is now under water, said City Engineer Noel Basquin.

"It's not dangerous for motorists, but concrete for the north half of the bridge can't be poured until it's fixed," he said. "The shoring towers for the actual bridge were not damaged."

City officials plan to meet with consultants on Wednesday to discuss how to fix it. With water levels very high -- almost completely covering the coffer dam -- there are safety concerns for workers, Basquin said.

Until then, how it affects the completion schedule and the cost won't be known, he said.

Additional barriers will be added to try to prevent a similar accident from happening, Basquin said.

Contractors are now planning to pour the north side of the bridge on March 3.

The completion date for the bridge has continued to be pushed back by weather delays. Its original end date was Dec. 14.

It will take about three weeks after the bridge deck is poured before it will be open.

Contractors need four to five nights in which the temperature doesn't dip below the mid-20s to pour the concrete.