Skip to main content

Demolition underway on bridge structure in Cleveland, Ohio

Demolition work is progressing on track on the old Innerbelt Bridge in the US city of Cleveland and spanning the Cuyahoga River. At present a demolition contractor is breaking up the structure in stages, using cutting gear and cranes to remove portions of the bridge in a phased programme of works. Once the demolition moves to a certain stage in a few months, the contractor will then be able to use explosives to demolish the remaining structure. Four of the truss bridge’s nine spans are being dismantled usi
June 9, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
Demolition work is progressing on track on the old Innerbelt Bridge in the US city of Cleveland and spanning the Cuyahoga River. At present a demolition contractor is breaking up the structure in stages, using cutting gear and cranes to remove portions of the bridge in a phased programme of works. Once the demolition moves to a certain stage in a few months, the contractor will then be able to use explosives to demolish the remaining structure. Four of the truss bridge’s nine spans are being dismantled using cutting gear and cranes at present.

The demolition is required as survey work carried out in 2008 showed the old structure to have serious technical issues. It was initially closed to heavy trucks, which then had to detour along different routes although it was subsequently reopened once further examination of the structure had been carried out. Built in 1959, the Innerbelt Bridge was originally envisaged to carry Interstate 71 but this plan was later revised and the bridge instead carried Interstate 90.

Related Content

  • Flyover removal completed successfully
    February 15, 2021
    A flyover removal project has been completed successfully in the UK.
  • Berlin bridge replacement project planned
    November 11, 2020
    An important Berlin bridge replacement project is being planned.
  • Bridge blast allows new Ohio River crossing
    July 30, 2013
    A 213m section of the Old Milton-Madison Bridge was recently blasted into the Ohio River in the United States to make way for a new river crossing. Workers rigged the structure with small controlled explosives and took it down shortly after 9.15am on Sunday 28 July 2013. Small explosive charges were placed at key locations on the bridge. The charges were detonated at intervals to control the direction of the fall. Pieces of the truss will be retrieved from the river, placed on barges, and taken to the shore
  • Formwork plays a leading role in global infrastructure projects
    June 13, 2012
    New and highly regarded existing formwork systems have been used in major recent transport-related construction projects across the globe. Guy Woodford looks at some of their applications The multi-million dollar Mississippi River Bridge project in the United State is creating a vital new gateway between Illinois and Missouri. Central to the project is the realignment and reconstruction of Interstate 70 and a new landmark bridge, featuring two pylons projecting vertically from the Mississippi river bed w