Demolition of bridge underway

Crews on Monday, Dec. 16, began demolishing the north side of the Manning Avenue bridge, a job that will take at least two weeks, said J. Kerry Theran, the senior engineer on the project.

One excavator with an attached hydraulic sheer its head and jaws resembling something from a Jurassic Park movie started tearing out concrete and steel on the east end of the bridge.

Another excavator with a hydro hammer also broke up concrete on the bridge.

Crews will knock down the roadway on the north side and then begin demolishing the nine concrete piers and two concrete abutments that undergird the roadway.

To prepare for Mondays work, crews used saws last weekend to cut into the deck of the roadway.

The cuts made the length and width of the deck were designed to allow the contractor to take out the bridge in smaller sections, making it an easier and safer job, Theran said.

Safety is a top priority, he said.

Its why a civil engineer certified in California had to develop a demolition plan for the bridge, Theran said.

In addition, two workmen are stationed below the bridge as spotters to keep anyone from walking under it as the excavators tore into the span.

Once the roadway, piers and abutments are gone, crews will move to the next phase of the project: Installing new steel-reinforced, concrete columns and abutments to support the north side of the new bridge.

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Demolition of bridge underway