Marine Safety Unit Chicago U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release

Date: August 22, 2005 Contact: Public Affairs (630) 986-2155

CHICAGO BRIDGE DEMOLITION CHICAGO, IL - A suspended conveyor bridge at mile marker 329.9 over the Calumet River will be demolished by explosion this morning at 0800 local.  The suspended conveyor bridge is approximately 26 feet wide, 400 feet in length, and has a vertical clearance of 130 feet.  It is located in an industrial area approximately 15 miles south of downtown Chicago on the old Acme Steel and Heckett Slag properties. The bridge removal has been contracted to a local demolition company, Chicago Explosive Services (CES).  CES has removed over 200 bridges throughout the Midwest and along the East Coast.  The project supervisor for this operation, Pat Carney, has over 26 years experience in the explosives industry. CES will remove the bridge by detonating strategically set charges that will break the bridge into seven large sections.  The bridge sections will be quickly recovered from the river and shore by prestaged equipment and personnel. The U.S. Coast Guard has been working closely with CES and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) to ensure that this event will be safe and has minimal impact on commercial and recreational vessel traffic.  The river was closed this morning at 7:00 a.m. for 1000 feet on either side of the bridge.  After the river is surveyed and examined by the Coast Guard and ACOE to ensure it is clear of debris, the river will be reopened to vessel traffic.  The closure is expected to last no longer than 24 hours.

 

 

printer friendly

Powered by the PIER System