ODOT looks for alternatives after bridge implosion mishap

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is looking at alternative demolition methods after several attempts to tear down the Jeremiah Morrow Bridge in Warren County, Ohio, a report by the Dayton Daily News says. 

According to Matt Bruning, ODOT spokesperson, the fourth attempt made on May 21 should be enough to complete the job, the report says. The blast lowered the last half of the remaining section to a point where contractors can consider other removal options.

Bruning told the Dayton Daily News that ODOT will create a plan at no additional cost to taxpayers, to get the structure down.

The Jeremiah Morrow Bridge opened to traffic on Nov. 19, 1964, the report says. The first attempt to blast the bridge was made on April 11, shutting down traffic for about a month. Second and third attempts were made earlier in May.

According to the report, ODOT replaced the bridge with a new one after six years of construction at a cost of $104 million. Final work is scheduled for completion by July 31.