Wilson Bridge Demolition Postponed
The plan to blow up a portion of the old Wilson Bridge in order to make way for construction of the second new span has been pushed back a few days, project officials announced today.
Detonation of the nearly half-mile stretch of steel girders that supported the old bridge over Jones Point Park in Alexandria is now scheduled for 11:59 p.m., Aug. 29. The take-down had been scheduled for midnight Thursday, but the contractor needed a little more time to prepare the steel girders on the old span.
The winner of the 'Toughest Bridge Commute' contest, which began last week and has generated hundreds of applications, according to project officials, still will get to push the plunger that detonates the old section. Traffic on the Capital Beltway will be halted for about half an hour at that time for safety reasons.
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August 18, 2006; 1:32 PM ET
Wilson Bridge
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Posted by: Jared | August 18, 2006 4:32 PM
Where do we go if we want to watch the demolition?
Posted by: Rich | August 19, 2006 3:57 PM
Greetings from beyond the Beltway!
I hail from Savannah, Georgia and am thrilled to see your problems are our problems, and highways are the biggest source of all our problems.
Transforming the public transportation system into something effective, efficient and--most of all--user-friendly, is the key to our long-term survival.
If anyone cares to go there, my public service web site www.mhconnections.com is also my political soapbox on issues that invade my life every time I turn around, to the point where I'm spinning in circles along with everyone else. My latest soapbox is Amtrak and the irresponsible firing of David Gunn.
I like to think. That's why I became a psychiatrist. You are only as good as your worst help, so I have learned to become very self-sufficient.
The less government help, the better, as far as I'm concerned. Every provocation, every abuse of power, every new law, gives me new reasons to call for taxpayers to spend less money, not more, and get more value for their time. Government is in such a snarl that the entire structure is imploding.
Support a tax-free economy. Stay home and grow food. Meanwhile, keep the nuclear industry and the plastic breakdown products away from the water supplies.
Katharine C. Otto, MD
kcottomd@yahoo.com
Posted by: Katharine C. Otto, MD | August 20, 2006 12:48 PM
www.wilsonbridge.com says this is happening Monday, August 28, rather than the date you stated in the blog.
Posted by: driven | August 23, 2006 12:46 AM
Hello from Rocky Mount, North Carolina!
I grew up in Alexandria, and wish I could be there to see the old (-----)go down!
Have fun, y'all!!
Posted by: Charles P. Amey | August 23, 2006 1:51 PM
The guy chosen to blow up the bridge got the gig because he was in an accident_WHERE HE CHANGED LANES ON THE BRIDGE and got hit by a semi.
Doesn't he seem like a poster boy for the problem not the resolution?
As long as there is that steep downhill on the MD inner loop with a merge to less lanes the accidents will keep on happening.
Posted by: Cause or Affect? | August 24, 2006 1:53 PM
I thought it was scheduled for 1159 tonight, august 28?
also, any suggest spots where we can watch?
Posted by: tony daza | August 28, 2006 7:19 AM
Any suggestions on where to get a good view of the 'festivities' tonight??
Posted by: Kelly | August 28, 2006 10:44 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
do you know if anyone is going to put up good lighting for the demolition? i'm going to go, and i'd really like to be able to get some good photographs of it. but then again i suppose the designated viewing area might not be the most conducive. I just can't wait to see the demolition! i never use the bridge personally, but i closely follow transportation projects in the area. the demolition will be some good closure for local residents. like saying goodbye to a long, drawn out, bad relationship.... it started out sweet- but things went sour.
Bye bye bridge!