Gawkers Flocking To Salt Pile After Wall Collapse At Morton Warehouse
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The shattered south wall of the Morton Salt facility at 1301 N. Elston Av., and the giant mountain of salt that surged Tuesday through the breach, have become somewhat of a tourist attraction.
A steady stream of people drove up, stopped, and watched as structural engineers worked New Year's Day to determine the extent of the problems with the wall that partially collapsed. Many of the curious brought their cell phones, cameras and video equipment.
One man, Jeff Kowalkowski, said he considered it an architectural study. Another, Terry Learned, piled his family in the car and drove from Watertown, Wis., near Milwaukee, to see it up close after seeing photos on Facebook.
"It's more impressive in person, that's for sure," he said.
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His daughter Lauren disagreed.
"I think he's crazy because it's cold out here," she said as she stood with the rest of her family.
Tara Sonnenberg, a River North resident, said she was curious and said now that she's seen it, she will be telling friends to do the same.
The wall to the west of the breach is bowed and cracked but remains in place. The workers used a bucket hoisted by a crane to examine the bricks nearest the breach. Those that they deemed loose were taken and tossed into a Dumpster held aloft next to them.
The McGrath Acura dealership next door was closed for business Thursday. It is unclear how quickly workers will be allowed to dig out the damaged cars partially or completely buried beneath the tons of salt. McGrath said Wednesday that Morton Salt is paying for loaners and will purchase replacement vehicles or pay for repairs to the 11 cars that were damaged.
