Contractors employed on a bridge that collapsed during construction near Florida International University have been cited for federal safety violations, including the failure to evacuate employees after cracks developed.

The 175-foot-long, 950-ton pedestrian bridge over Southwest Eighth Street at 109th Avenue west of Miami fell March 15, killing five people crushed in vehicles and a construction worker.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited South Miami-based Munilla Construction Management LLC; Columbia, Maryland-based Structural Technologies LLC, which specializes in bridge and buildings post-tensioning; and Homestead-based concrete form contractor The Structural Group of South Florida Inc. for not rigging a horizontal lifeline to prevent workers from free-falling more than 6 feet.

Bridge designer Figg Bridge Engineers Inc. and Miami-based construction engineer and inspector Bolton, Perez & Associates were cited for leaving employees in place after the bridge developed cracks of “significant width, depth and length at critical locations … which compromised the structural integrity of the bridge,” according to the citations.

Munilla and Structural Group also were cited for not designing, installing and using horizontal lifelines under supervision.

Munilla said the citations are a positive step toward finding out the cause of the collapse.

“While MCM is still reviewing the OSHA fall protection citation, it is noteworthy that OSHA has not claimed that the cited conditions had anything to do with the FIU bridge span's failure,” said Mike Hernandez, Munilla's spokesman.

Figg declined comment. Structural Technologies and Bolton didn't return a request for comment by deadline. The Structural Group couldn't be reached for comment.

OSHA proposed $85,658 in total penalties.

The citations were issued Friday, and contractors have 15 business days to comply, contest or ask for a meeting.

The bridge was built off site and swung in place five days before the collapse on the link between FIU's Modesto A. Maidique campus and Sweetwater. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause.