The Town of Pelham has confirmed that failed bolts are responsible for concerns over the structural integrity of the arches spanning Pelham Town Square west of Town Hall.
Town communications specialist Leah Letford says that a bolted joint on one of the arch segments failed on Tuesday. Town staff, with assistance from the Pelham Fire Department, secured the failed joint and arranged the closure of the roadway and pedestrian pathways under the structure.
Inspection was then carried out from the ground, as well as from an aerial lift.
PelhamToday understands that the bolts used in the arches' construction were per the specifications in its design yet were most likely undersized for the application, raising questions over whether the design was flawed from the start. Sources say that council is likely to request an inquiry into what could have been a serious threat to public safety had the arches partially or completely collapsed.
In less than a month, the Town is set to hold its annual Christmas Market evening event, most of which occurs underneath the arches.
Letford says that a third-party industrial technician team will be on site on Saturday, November 9, to do a full replacement of all bolts in the failed arch segment.
"In addition, all other connections will be inspected and a sample bolt from each of the remaining segments will be removed for testing and a replacement bolt installed in its place."
Letford says that following the inspection and testing, "a decision will be made on when re-opening the sidewalks and roadway can safely occur."
