Construction cracks wall of landmark Salem building
SALEM - Salem city engineers will try to figure out if a building with a large crack running through it is in danger of falling down.
Salem police say the northbound lanes of Front Street between Commercial Street and Court Street will be closed throughout the day.
Busy Highway 22 through Salem was also closed, disrupting the morning commute. Officials at the site said they were hoping stability measures would allow them to open the highway in time for the evening rush hours.
A construction worker reportedly noticed the abandoned building had a large crack in a wall on Thursday night and called the Salem fire department.
An inspection showed that both the north and the west sides of the building are cracked. A person who lives next to the building was evacuated.
Firefighters say the construction of a nine-story condominium building next to the site caused the foundation of the vacant building to shift and break.
The building has stood in Salem for over 70 years.
Initially, engineers feared the old brick structure may collapse. Dirt was piled up against the wall Friday in hopes of giving some measure of support while inspections continued.
Streets near the site were open to traffic Friday evening after fences were put up around the site.
Salem police say the northbound lanes of Front Street between Commercial Street and Court Street will be closed throughout the day.
Busy Highway 22 through Salem was also closed, disrupting the morning commute. Officials at the site said they were hoping stability measures would allow them to open the highway in time for the evening rush hours.
A construction worker reportedly noticed the abandoned building had a large crack in a wall on Thursday night and called the Salem fire department.
An inspection showed that both the north and the west sides of the building are cracked. A person who lives next to the building was evacuated.
Firefighters say the construction of a nine-story condominium building next to the site caused the foundation of the vacant building to shift and break.
The building has stood in Salem for over 70 years.
Initially, engineers feared the old brick structure may collapse. Dirt was piled up against the wall Friday in hopes of giving some measure of support while inspections continued.
Streets near the site were open to traffic Friday evening after fences were put up around the site.