VIDEO – Explosive blast apart redundant US bridge

July 13, 2015
The Donora-Webster Bridge over the Monongahela River in the US has been demolished using explosives. The ageing structure spanned the Monongahela River, connecting Washington and Westmoreland Counties in Pennsylvania. The bridge was built in 1908 and originally carried a rail link but in 1938 the tracks were removed and the structure was modified so that it could handle motor vehicle traffic instead. The Donora-Webster Bridge linked Route 837 on the west side of the Monongahela River with Route 906 on the east bank. The bridge was then closed to vehicle traffic in 2009 because the structural deficiencies had been identified by the local authorities. Despite being designated a historic bridge by the Washington County History & Landmarks Foundation, the Donora-Webster Bridge was earmarked for demolition. The contractor used close to 32.7kg of explosives placed at 387 separate points around the structure so as to break up its structural integrity, resulting in it crashing into the river below in a successfully controlled demolition.

Related Content

  • VIDEO: explosive demolition of Bridge to Long Island in US
    March 24, 2015
    Explosives were used successfully in the US to demolish the Long Island Bridge. The structure formerly provided a connection to Squantum's Long Island, however it had fallen into disrepair and a decision was made to remove the structure. A section of the Long Island Bridge was demolished by a specialist contractor. This saw the implosion of a229m section of the structure connecting with the island.
    Read More
  • Concrete paving a smoother surface using machine control technology
    May 17, 2017
    Innovative technology has been used to deliver a smooth concrete road surface on a busy stretch of highway in Nebraska. Much-needed work on a busy section of Interstate 80 has been carried out in Nebraska to improve the road surface. This is one of the most important highways in the US, providing a link that stretches right across the country between the east and west coasts. This busy highway carries a high percentage of heavy truck traffic as it is a vital transport route. However this constant flow of la
    Read More
  • Cianbro picks up another contract for Washington’s Memorial Bridge
    July 15, 2015
    The 1930’s Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington, which has carried US presidents and military heroes across the Potomac River to the famous Arlington Cemetery, is to undergo refurbishment, again. Cianbro Corporation, based in the state of Maine and which worked on the bridge in 2013, picked up the contract for US$2,523,520, according to a notice on the FedBizOpps.gov website. The Federal Business Opportunities website had earlier this year asked for submissions for the work: “The project will be sp
    Read More
  • Pennsylvania Turnpike celebrating 80th anniversary
    March 20, 2020
    The Pennsylvania Turnpike will celebrate its 80th anniversary during 2020.
    Read More

Highlighted Content