Metrodome demolition at a stop, but new Vikings stadium work continues

Demolition work at the construction site for the new Vikings stadium will remain suspended for the next several days, an official with the construction management firm said Wednesday.

Allen Troshinsky, director of operations for the sports operating group at Mortenson Construction, said work on the new stadium continues, and the delay in resuming demolition work on the Metrodome is not expected to affect the project timeline.

The new stadium, which is being erected on the same site as the Dome is being demolished, is expected to open in July 2016.

Contractors and engineers are still investigating to determine why a portion of ring beam came down unexpectedly Monday, Troshinsky said.

"Once we're completely satisfied that we understand the events of Monday afternoon and are assured that we won't have other surprises along the way going forward, then we'll resume work," he said.

"Our review is going to help us understand the engineering and the reactions of that ring beam as we continue to demolish it and it becomes weaker and weaker."

Nobody was hurt and no equipment was damaged in Monday's mishap, and all debris fell within the specified safety zone, Mortenson officials said.

Doug Belden can be reached at 651-228-5136. Follow him at twitter.com/dbeldenpipress.

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Metrodome demolition at a stop, but new Vikings stadium work continues