URS Corporation controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2012
Martin Olav Sabo Bridge cable failures
Two major support cables on the Martin Olav Sabo Bridge in Minneapolis failed in February 2012. The incident led to temporary closures of Hiawatha Avenue and nearby light-rail service while emergency support work was undertaken. URS had been the bridge's design consultant.
2011
Los Alamos plutonium-handling incident
At a Los Alamos nuclear facility operated in part by URS, plutonium was mishandled in an incident described as creating a near risk of an uncontrolled nuclear reaction. The event was associated with concerns about weakened safety protocols and changes to the criticality-safety team.
2007
I-35W bridge collapse litigation
After the Minneapolis I-35W bridge collapsed in August 2007, killing 13 people and injuring 145, lawsuits filed in 2008 and 2009 named URS in connection with earlier fatigue and redundancy work. The National Transportation Safety Board attributed the collapse to inadequate load capacity caused by a design error in gusset plates, combined with increased bridge weight and construction loads. URS settled the related litigation in 2010 without admitting negligence or wrongdoing, and was not involved in the work being performed on the bridge at the time of collapse.