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.
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.
