LAVAL, Que. — At around 11:25 a.m. on Saturday Sept. 30th, driver Dave Ferrara called 911 when in front of his eyes a one-meter long piece of concrete fell suddenly from the Concorde overpass in Laval, Que.

At 11:39, the Quebec Ministry of Transportation (MTQ) sent a media alert, and 16 minutes later, a MTQ inspector was on site to clean the debris. At 12:32, the 38 year-old overpass collapsed, injuring six people and killing five motorists in two cars crushed to knee level under the thousand-ton chunk of concrete and asphalt.

The state of Quebec roadways has been the subject of concern for several years. (Be sure to Read Rolf Lockwood’s take on the issue in today’s online Viewpoint column).

TRAGIC COLLAPSE: Last month’s overpass collapse in Laval
is sad, but trucks had nothing to do with it, says QTA.

After pictures of the latest scene made their way across the country, commentators wasted little time in blaming heavy trucks for the deterioration of Quebec roads and, illogically, for tragedies such as this. In fact, even today, fingers are still pointed at the trucking industry.

Marc Cadieux, President and General Manager of the Quebec Trucking Association, says those accusations make no sense, considering the Concorde overpass is not even located at a strategic road link for heavy trucks.

“The Concorde overpass is on highway 19, which is absolutely not interesting for heavy trucks with its numerous stops and street lights. Also, there are several streets forbidden to trucks around that area,” he says. “What we see there are pick-up and delivery trucks like the ones used by furniture and appliance stores.”

An investigation commission headed by the former Quebec Premier Pierre-Marc Johnson is trying to pinpoint the exact cause of the collapse. Several structures in the province in similar shape are expected to close.

Across the country, meanwhile, various transport ministries are dispatching bridge engineers to ensure major overpasses and viaducts were safe and sound.

The Quebec trucking industry, says Cadieux, has made significant efforts to reduce weight of loads on the roads.

Since 1971, loads have been reduced by 3 percent for a 5-axle tractor-trailer configuration; and between 8 and 20 percent during thaw periods.

“Loads are not higher in Quebec than in the rest of Canada,” Cadieux says. Instead of accusing trucks, he says citizens should be asking politicians why the provincial road network has been neglected for decades.

“Just look at the Turcot exchanger that is literally held with chicken wire,” says Cadieux, “or the Metropolitaine highway that has been reinforced with steel plates.”

The Quebec Ministry of Transport admits about 2,200 roads and overpasses (about 45 percent) are in bad shape and in need of repair. In 2004-2005, only 71 of these structures were fixed.