Marshall Democrat-News: Local News: Eastwood bridge comes down (UPDATE: 2:12 p.m. Oct. 26) (10/25/09)

The center span of the railroad bridge at the east edge of Marshall collapses during demolition work Saturday evening, Oct. 24. Workers expect to complete the demolition of the railroad bridge by early Sunday morning.
(Eric Crump/Democrat-News) [Order this photo]

More than three years after the city began the effort to replace the Eastwood Street bridges on the east edge of Marshall, the crumbling structures are starting to come down.

Demolition began shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, on the railroad bridge, and the center span collapsed onto the protected railroad tracks shortly before 7 p.m.

By Sunday morning, Oct. 25, Missouri Highway Department Bridge No. F.69A, built in 1922, was relegated to history.

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The two bridges, one spanning Union Pacific tracks and one spanning Salt Fork Creek, connect Marshall to the community of Montague Hill just to the east of the city.

The bridges were closed by Marshall Special Road District officials in April 2005 after a Missouri Department of Transportation inspection found they were unsafe.

The city of Marshall annexed the bridges early in 2006 so the project would qualify for a $1.6 million municipal bridge replacement program grant.

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The project was expected in early estimates to cost about $2 million, but Lehman Construction won the job with a $1.7 million bid that was approved by the Marshall City Council in July.

Preliminary work on the project took longer than expected due to design and easement negotiations.

The contract timeframe is 220 working days for the entire project, according to Marshall Mayor Connie Latimer.

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The railroad bridge is slated to be completed by mid-January, weather permitting.

After the new bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks is completed, demolition work on the bridge over Salt Fork Creek will begin.

The bridges have to be replaced separately in order to maintain access to Union Pacific facilities near the bridges.

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The road from the bridge east to state Highway 240 will be resurfaced, too, as part of the project.

Contact Eric Crump at marshalleditor@socket.net

Photo gallery:
www.marshallnews.com/gallery/eastwood_rr...

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Related stories:
Eastwood bridge project one step closer to reality:
www.marshallnews.com/story/1508407.html
Eastwood Viaduct plan approved:
www.marshallnews.com/story/1190632.html
Marshall City Council approves Eastwood viaduct annexation:
www.marshallnews.com/story/1144813.html
Marshall to seek money for Eastwood Street viaduct:
www.marshallnews.com/story/1138892.html
Marshall to explore municipalities bridge program for Eastwood span:
www.marshallnews.com/story/1134182.html
County officials meet on Eastwood viaduct:
www.marshallnews.com/story/1128587.html
Unsafe at any speed:
www.marshallnews.com/story/1094884.html

Eh, skip the first question, I can't read.

-- Posted by ieatsuperglue on Thu, Oct 29, 2009, at 1:23 AM

Eric,

Are they planning a 1 bridge or 2 project?

Will they widen the road and bridge(s)?

-- Posted by ieatsuperglue on Thu, Oct 29, 2009, at 1:21 AM

Oh, I'm excited! This is such great news!

-- Posted by Green Eyes on Mon, Oct 26, 2009, at 8:25 AM

Good bye, my high school nightmare! I remember meeting a semi on that bridge right after I got my license! I think I froze and slammed on the brakes! The site of it in these pictures still makes me shutter!

-- Posted by oneofmany on Mon, Oct 26, 2009, at 12:45 AM

What a waste of Tax Payer Money, The Bridge to Nowhere! It ranks right up there with that $2 million dollar airport to nowhere extension paid for by wasted Mo-Dot Money! But I'm sure there are so many local workers making money off of the construction?...Right! This is almost as important as the airport extension...like I said compliments of wasted Mo-Dot Tax Payers money!

-- Posted by Gumby on Sun, Oct 25, 2009, at 11:12 PM

Looking at the pictures I have of them now, I see they weren't very wide. Have they gotten smaller since I last saw them?

I crossed those bridges many times over the years. I can even remember when they were in fine condition. Seeing them deteriorate, and now crumble under the onslaught of destructive forces, is a harsh reminder of my own limited lifespan and the years and miles I've endured the forces of this world.

So long old, railroad bridge. We shall not cross paths again. Stand proud old, Salt Fork River bridge, the few remaining days you have are almost at an end.

-- Posted by Ray on Sun, Oct 25, 2009, at 9:49 PM

It was called the Eastwood Viaduct back in the day. Still is, by some locals and oldtimers.

-- Posted by Tori on Sun, Oct 25, 2009, at 4:37 PM

Thanks Eric, I used to use that area alot, and hate driving around. Can't wait for it to be done.

-- Posted by ieatsuperglue on Sun, Oct 25, 2009, at 11:30 AM

I love the photos the gorgeous fall foliage really is stunning.

-- Posted by litlmissme on Sun, Oct 25, 2009, at 10:10 AM

Have they any time frame?

Are they going to fix the road on the other side of the bridges?

-- Posted by ieatsuperglue on Sun, Oct 25, 2009, at 7:22 AM

Response by Eric Crump/Editor:

Yes. Mayor Latimer reports that the road from the bridges to Highway 240 will be resurfaced by MoDOT.

The timeframe for the whole project is 220 working days. The railroad bridge is expected to be done by mid-January, weather permitting.