Countdown to bridge implosion begins

March 14, 2013, 9:02 pm by Adam Troxtell

High above the lake on a lift that’s sitting on a barge (close-up on Page 1A), Omega construction workers begin final preparations for the explosive demolition of the old US 281 bridge this Sunday. This includes inspecting areas that have been cut so the bridge will demolish a certain way, placing charges, and cleaning excess rubble from the steel truss. Meanwhile, more workers collect construction debris to be placed in a truck and sent to a recycling facility.

One of the town’s oldest landmarks will bring residents to Lake Marble Falls this weekend when demolition crews set off explosives, marking the end of the 77-year-old US 281 bridge.

At approximately 8 a.m. Sunday, the steel truss of the iconic bridge, built in 1936, will drop into Lake Marble Falls after it is cut into 30 pieces by controlled explosions.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), general contractor for the bridge project Archer Western, and lead subcontractor for the demolition, Omega Demolition Corporation, will oversee Sunday’s implosion.

Residents or interested travelers can watch the historic event from Lakeside Pavilion, which the city has designated a public viewing area. Lakeside will open at 7 a.m. for the anticipated large crowd.

"It’s something very unusual and something few people get to see,” Marble Falls Mayor George Russell said. "The place we have set up for people is safe to watch and take pictures from. It’s a significant change. That bridge is, really, the link between north and south around here.”