Date Set for Demolition of Old Champ Clark Bridge Trusses

The date has been set for the beginning of the end of the old Champ Clark Bridge.

The Missouri Department of Transportation announced Friday that the first pair of truss spans of the 90-plus year old bridge will be dropped into the Mississippi River at around 9 a.m. Friday, October 18th.

With the removal of the old deck nearly complete, the demolition of the trusses is the next step. That will take place with an explosive blast, dropping debris into the river.

The two trusses to be blown up on the 18th are two of the three closest to the Missouri side of the bridge. The two nearer to the Illinois side will be blown up about two weeks after the first two, with the truss nearest the Missouri shore to be demolished later.