Watch: Demolition of railroad bridge wounds nearby highway bridge
Written by RT&S Staff
Severe flooding in July had this railroad bridge marked for demolition.
Friendly fire is never sent with the best intentions.
It’s called a mistake, an unexpected one, and it wreaked havoc on a highway bridge in Montana. Officials were demolishing an old railroad bridge that succumbed to flooding in July when a piece of the dying structure hit a U.S. Highway 89 span sitting about 1,000 ft away. The stray shrapnel created a hole in one of the steel girders supporting the bridge, and a 2-mile section of the road had to be closed so an inspector could look over the damage.
The original fear was the railroad bridge, which has not been used in years, would fall into the Yellowstone River.
The rail bridge demolition served as practice for the U.S. Army Special Forces, and many thought the explosives would take down the bridge faster. The northern span of the bridge was demolished so crews could get access and dismantle what was left. Contractor Razz Construction will take care of the southern portion. Bridge pieces will be recycled, and rip rap will be placed along the river.
Watch the demolition of the railroad bridge.
Read more articles on bridges/tunnels.
