Plans call for demolition of bridge in coming week

LEDBETTER, Ky. (AP) — State officials say the remaining piers of the Old Ledbetter Bridge will soon be torn down.

WPSD-TV in Paducah reported (http://bit.ly/1ri9VMQ) that one of the piers of the span is scheduled for demolition on Monday. Should that fail, a contractor plans to use explosives to detonate whatever remains of the piers in Thursday.

Two piers were left standing in the river after explosions took down the main portion of the bridge earlier this year.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says the plan now is to excavate the river bottom outside the navigation channel and knock over the top half of the piers so they will fall into the excavated areas.

The natural silting process will cover the piers, leaving them below the river bottom.

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Information from: WPSD-TV, http://www.wpsdlocal6.com

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