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Tags: arkansas | bridge | implosion | fails

Arkansas Bridge Implosion Goes as Planned ... Except Bridge Doesn't Fall

Arkansas Bridge Implosion Goes as Planned ... Except Bridge Doesn't Fall

Following a failed implosion, the steel arch of the Broadway Bridge falls into the Arkansas River after being pulled down by a pair of tug boats, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016, in Little Rock, Arkansas. (Staton Breidenthal/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP)

By    |   Thursday, 13 October 2016 02:56 PM EDT

A 93-year-old Arkansas bridge was finally pulled down after a Tuesday implosion failed. The bridge had been deemed structurally deficient.

A demolition crew triggered explosives to bring down the Broadway Bridge between Little Rock and North Little Rock on Tuesday, but an implosion that should have taken no more than 30 seconds took five hours.

So much for the Arkansas bridge being considered a "weak" structure.

According to The Associated Press, Arkansas highway department spokesman Danny Straessle said while the blasts from the explosives weakened the span, the bridge pieces fell against themselves instead of into the river.

The demolition crew detonated the first charges a little after 10 a.m. and smoke could be seen surging from the bridge. Thousands of people showed up at the Arkansas River to watch the implosion, only to be disappointed.

After a switch in tactics, parts of the bridge finally crashed into the river around 2:50 p.m., hours later.

The AHTD poked fun at themselves on Twitter.

 

 

The bridge was closed Sept. 28 and the new one is expected to be up within the next six months, The Sun reported.

There is still some steel in the water from the implosion that needs to be removed in order for barge traffic to resume.

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TheWire
A 93-year-old Arkansas bridge was finally pulled down after a Tuesday implosion failed. The bridge had been deemed structurally deficient.
arkansas, bridge, implosion, fails
226
2016-56-13
Thursday, 13 October 2016 02:56 PM
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