The demolition contractor on the Old Ledbetter Bridge has successfully taken down the top of the in-water pier closest to the McCracken County shore of the Tennessee River. Keith Todd with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said the top half of Pier “B” was pulled over about 1:40 pm Tuesday.
The contractor rigged the top of the pier with cables that were connected to two large excavators tied to a barge anchored near the west bank of the river. After about 90 minutes of setting equipment and making adjustments, the excavators started pulling on the top of the pier. The first sign of movement was concrete popping along a crack just above the waterline. Once the pier started moving, gravity took over -- bringing the massive concrete structure splashing into the river below.
Last week the contractor excavated a trench along the bottom of the river outside of the navigation channel for the concrete slab to fall into.
With Pier “B” successfully toppled, the demolition crew immediately started moving cranes and other equipment to the Livingston County side of the river to start preparations to pull the top of Pier “C” over.
Todd said the contractor hoped to bring Pier “C” down Tuesday, but some extra work was needed to ensure that it would break at the correct location. They anticipate crews will pull that pier down about 7:30 am Wednesday.
On the Net:
Watch KYTC video of the pier coming down
