WSDOT says it wasn’t their workers drinking on the job

Hidden cameras caught several contracted employees working
on one of the priciest transportation projects in the
state drinking on the job.

KOMO TV reports
employees at contractor KGM’s
offices were drinking at their desks, allegedly during
business
hours, as they worked on the $600 million 520 bridge
replacement project.

The Washington Department of Transportation’s Steve Pierce
says it is unacceptable, but it likely will not affect
their contract on the project.

“They went through a very extensive process with other
bidders. They have a world renowned reputation for
floating bridge expertise,” he says.

And Pierce says KGM in general has an excellent safety
record.

WSDOT has begun their own investigation to make sure
no state workers were drinking on the job. At this point,
Pierce says, they have no reason to believe any of them
were. He says when they would have 520 bridge meetings in
the KGM offices, state workers never noticed anyone
drinking.

The Secretary of Transportation has sent an email to all
state transportation workers reminding them of
Washington’s strict no-alcohol policy and asking them to
report any violations.

Pierce is confident in the multiple levels of quality
control checks in place on the 520 project. He says
drivers eventually traveling on that new bridge have no
reason to be worried for their safety.

By KIM SHEPARD, 97.3 KIRO FM Reporter