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Nov 16, 2009 6:48 pm US/Eastern
Old Point Marion Bridge Imploded
POINT MARION (KDKA) ―
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The Old Point Marion Bridge was imploded on Monday morning.
KDKA
A local bridge came crashing down this morning during a controlled implosion. Hundreds of people from across the area gathered to watch.
The old Point Marion Bridge was considered one of the oldest and most unsafe bridges in our area.
For 79 years, it carried Route 88 across the Monongahela River connecting Fayette and Greene Counties.
Despite structural deficiencies, the bridge remained open until recently when the $21-million new Point Marion Bridge was complete.
PennDOT engineers say 12-pounds of military grade explosives were used to bring down the bridge. The goal was to not damage the new bridge which was built adjacent to the old one.
The U.S. Coast Guard will now clear the fallen span from the water. They are hoping to have that complete by the end of the day so that boats may once again pass through the waterway. A crane on a barge is being used in the cleanup process.
Another controlled implosion will take place next week to bring down the two pieces of the bridge that remain on either side of the river.
PennDOT officials say the implosion went off without incident.
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