Construction Worker Killed by Falling Highway Beam

A 187-foot-long, 45-ton steel overpass beam being removed as part of a highway widening project fell killing one worker and injuring three others

Apr 5, 2016

While a 187-foot-long, 45-ton steel overpass beam was being removed earlier this week, the beam fell between two lanes of Interstate 90 in Des lines, IL, killing a construction worker and injuring three others. The incident occurred earlier Tuesday morning, and while Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials are investigating the accident, it was unknown at the time what caused the beam to fall.

(more on the overpass beam accident...)

Latest in Safety
Pavement Maintenance & Reconstruction magazine cover October/November 2026 featuring showcase of 150+ pavement maintenance products and equipment
Top Product Showcase 2027
November 3, 2026
Orange wheel loader dumping gravel with worker and digital safety overlay on turquoise sky background
AI at the Leading Edge: Closing Front-Load Blind Spots
October 7, 2026
Orange safety hard hat with reflective stripes and protective goggles on a tire at a construction site
ISEA Updates Head Protection Requirements
October 2, 2026
Construction worker wearing yellow KASK safety helmet and neon green reflective vest at industrial building site
KASK Expands Helmet Line
August 17, 2026
Related Stories
Factory Testing 11364176
Safety
Promote Generator Safety with Proper Grounding and Bonding
MCWP1 55a62e7a286fc
Safety
MCWPs: Safe Work in the Sky
The study by the University of Massachusetts Lowell Department of Work Environment showed using water reduced respirable dust concentration by 85%.
Safety
Wetter is Better to Control Concrete Dust
Wet cutting can help to control concrete dust emissions when working in confined areas or inside structures.
Management
Dust Off Your Jobsites
More in Safety
Safety
Top Product Showcase 2027
Skip the research grind and find more than 150 pavement maintenance products in one spot.
Pavement Maintenance & Reconstruction magazine cover October/November 2026 featuring showcase of 150+ pavement maintenance products and equipment
Business
AI at the Leading Edge: Closing Front-Load Blind Spots
Brigade Electronics Inc.
How intelligent cameras and automatic view switching can give equipment operators a clearer picture — and earlier warning — around wheel loaders, forklifts and reach stackers.
Orange wheel loader dumping gravel with worker and digital safety overlay on turquoise sky background
Business
ISEA Updates Head Protection Requirements
International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA)
The revised standard maintains existing Type and Class classifications while adding optional criteria for retention, chin straps and multidirectional impact protection.
Orange safety hard hat with reflective stripes and protective goggles on a tire at a construction site
Business
KASK Expands Helmet Line
KASK
The ZENITH X2 is designed for utility workers exposed to arc flash hazards and features fire-resistant materials, Type II protection and ASTM testing.
Construction worker wearing yellow KASK safety helmet and neon green reflective vest at industrial building site
Business
Reducing Struck-By Risk: The Case for Automated Fleets
Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI)
Automated fleet technology can help contractors reduce struck-by exposure, improve workforce efficiency and manage heavy equipment more safely.
Two construction workers in safety vests and hard hats reviewing plans at a job site
Blacktop
Kristi Ronyak And The Mission Behind Construction Angels
Construction Angels
The charity supports families who have been impacted by the loss of a loved one from work zone accidents.
Three professionals pose with Construction Angels branded equipment at an indoor trade show or exhibition
Business
Work Zone Safety Hinges on Visibility, Driver Recognition and Timing
Flagger Force
Work zone risks remain high as short-term setups and driver behavior create hazards. Visibility, recognition and timing play a critical role in preventing incidents.
Orange diamond-shaped construction warning sign reading 'UTILITY WORK AHEAD' on a street with traffic cones and equipment
Business
Outdated Jobsite Technology is Driving Hidden Costs Across Construction
Wireless CCTV
Legacy surveillance and connectivity systems are creating security risks, downtime and inefficiencies as construction shifts toward cloud-based, real-time jobsite technology.
Security camera mounted on pole overlooking construction site with yellow excavator and steel framework
Maintenance
8 Best Practices for Safer, Cleaner Pavement Projects
Elgin Sweeper Company, subsidiary of Federal Signal Corporation
Construction sites generate dust, debris, and loose materials that can quickly create safety hazards and environmental concerns.
White Elgin concrete mixer truck at aggregate facility with conveyor belts and stockpiles
Blacktop
Milling In The Dark: Lights, Cameras, Action?
Portable Lighting Solutions
Between work zone safety, speed cameras, and what the industry still needs from lawmakers -- night highway milling is some of the most dangerous work in construction.
Wirtgen asphalt paver machine operating at night with workers in safety gear and illuminated work lights
Business
Inadequate, Ill-Fitting PPE is Putting Women at Risk on the Jobsite
Avetta
Millions of women in construction and other industries still lack properly fitting personal protective equipment (PPE), creating safety hazards, psychological stress and reduced jobsite efficiency.
Two construction workers in safety vests holding white and yellow hard hats against a sunset backdrop
Business
Avetta’s Cultural Maturity Index Maps to ANSI and ISO Standards
Avetta
Developed in partnership with the American Society of Safety Professionals, the CMI provides hiring clients actionable insights into the cultural drivers of their supply chains’ safety performance.
Manilla file folder tab labeled 'Compliance' in a document filing system
Page 1 of 281
Next Page