Demolition of I-25 bridge at Missouri Avenue to begin Friday

By Steve Ramirez

sramirez@lcsun-news.com @SteveRamirez6 on Twitter

LAS CRUCES >> Las Crucen Rico Ramos shook his head and rubbed his eyes. "The mess is only going to get messier," he said.

Ramos was reacting Thursday to the project to replace two Interstate 25 bridges that cross over Missouri Avenue, beginning today with the start of demolition on the southbound bridge.

FNF Construction of Tempe, Arizona, is the contractor for the New Mexico Department of Transportation project.

The demolition begins about 8 p.m. today and will continue nonstop until the aging bridge has been removed and debris cleared. Jay Gallenstein, FNF project manager, said in a best-case scenario the work could be finished Saturday night, and worse-case Monday morning.

That means Missouri Avenue between Triviz Drive and Don Roser Drive will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians.

"If it all goes as we hope, the demolition is done by Saturday night," Gallenstein said. "What time Saturday night depends on how long it takes the two crews to remove the bridge. But if we can't finish Saturday night, the contract says we have until 6 a.m. Monday to be out of there."

Bridget Spedalieri, NMDOT spokeswoman, said during the demolition, two ambulances will be stationed at University Avenue and Don Roser Drive, and at the intersection of Griggs Avenue and Walnut Street, if the need arises. Nearby residents and business owners have raised concerns about ambulances and other emergency vehicles being prohibited from driving through the intersection if a crisis happens.

"Seconds count, always," said Edith Thatcher, who lives about four blocks east of the soon-to-be-demolished bridge. "No one's life or safety should have to be compromised in any way if an emergency vehicle can't get through there."

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Demolition of I-25 bridge at Missouri Avenue to begin Friday