Glass ledges open after cracking
under feet

The Willis Tower temporarily limited access to the bays, known as The Ledge, on Thursday for routine inspection.

The rest of the Skydeck on the 103rd floor of the building, formerly known as the Sears Tower, remained opened.

The glass itself didn’t crack on Wednesday night and officials say visitors were never in danger. Instead, a protective coating covering the glass produced the spider web of cracks.

A spokesman said all four bays are open.

The ledges first opened in 2009 and attract visitors in part because walking onto them allows the disconcerting feeling of stepping onto air, hundreds of feet above ground.

A building spokesman said the damage was to the protective coating, possibly from a sharp item dropped on it, and there were no structural concerns.

He said the tower itself was extremely sturdy and solid.

All four boxes are now undergoing inspection and the floor that cracked is being replaced, he added.