'Unstable antenna' on Trump Tower in Toronto
By
Don Peat, City Hall Bureau Chief
First posted: Monday, August 31, 2015 09:29 AM EDT | Updated: Monday, August 31, 2015 05:49 PM EDT
TORONTO - An “unstable antenna” on top of the Trump Tower will cause downtown traffic chaos until at least mid-day Tuesday.
Concerns about a “swaying” antenna at the top of the Trump International Hotel and Tower on Monday morning led to the closure of Bay St., between Richmond and King Sts., and Adelaide St., from Yonge to York Sts.
Toronto Police and city officials warned late Monday that the closures around the skyscraper could last well past Tuesday morning rush hour.
Given Donald Trump’s current bid to become the Republican nominee for U.S. president, the “unstable antenna mast” north of the border quickly led to lots of jokes on social media and quips from frustrated pedestrians who were forced to circumvent the disruption.
But Mayor John Tory wasn’t laughing about the antenna incident.
The mayor’s office confirmed that Tory has requested an investigation and wants those responsible “held accountable.
“The mayor is very concerned about the impact on traffic in the downtown core and surrounding area. Every effort is being made to reopen affected roads as soon as it is safe,” Tory’s office stated Monday.
City officials confirmed the streets were initially closed Monday “due to reports of potentially unsafe conditions, involving an antenna at the Trump Tower at 325 Bay St.
“The roads will remain closed until the owner of the building provides a report from a professional engineer that concludes there is no risk to the public,” the city stated.
“Toronto Building contacted and issued an order to the property management company in charge of and responsible for the building to provide a professional engineer’s report commenting on the safety of the antenna and related building elements. The city is awaiting a response to the issued order. To protect public safety, the roads will remain closed, and at this time it is anticipated that a response to the issued order will not be received until (Tuesday).”
Toronto Police officers and firefighters blocked the streets and sidewalks around the tower early Monday morning.
“The information was that the tower was coming loose or swaying at an unsafe rate,” said Sgt. Kevin Hamilton.
don.peat@sunmedia.ca
Police closed Bay St. between Richmond and King Sts. after a report of an "unstable antenna" on the Trump Tower in Toronto on Monday August 31, 2015. (Dave Abel/Toronto Sun)
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