September 17, 200520 yr PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Sports and Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County have filed suit against five contractors and suppliers, alleging systemic failure of the expansion joints installed throughout the $281 million Heinz Field. The joints, made of chemical adhesives, waterproof membranes, insulation packing and metal, are designed to expand and contract as the stadium heats and cools, preserving the concrete slabs that form the bulkheads and passageways. After the stadium opened in 2001, workers discovered that rubber covers to prevent water damage were defective, the lawsuit alleges. They were replaced after the 2002 season, but those joints began failing after the next season, the suit said. The firms sued are contractors Wyatt Inc., of Robinson Township, near Pittsburgh, and Western Waterproofing Co., of Broadway Heights, Ohio, as well as three sealant and joint manufacturers: Dow Corning Corp., Degussa Construction Chemicals and its subsidiary, Watson Bowman Acme Corp. All the companies declined to comment on the lawsuit. Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett said he could not comment on the lawsuit, but said "We feel the stadium is safe for all of our fans.'' http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9372809/
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