The old bridge over the Missouri River at Washington will be demolished on a weekday during daylight hours sometime in mid-to-late March.

Although vague, Missouri Department of Transportation Area Engineer Judy Wagner shared those details with members of the Franklin County Transportation Committee last Thursday.

Marschel Wrecking LLC, Fenton, is the contractor for the bridge demolition. Wagner added the entire 2,500-foot bridge span will be taken down with one blast.

“We’re not sure on the exact date or time yet,” Wagner said. “The demolition contractor has pretty much taken over.”

Raffle

Tickets for a chance to “push the button” to demolish the old Highway 47 bridge over the Missouri River are now on sale.

All proceeds will be donated to BackStoppers, an organization that provides financial assistance and support to the spouses and children of first responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The tickets can be purchased in Warrenton at Main Street Real Estate, 304 E. Main St.; First Sate Community Bank, 1022 N. Highway 47 and Warrenton Firehouse 1, 606 Fairgrounds Road. In Wright City tickets can be purchased at First State Community Bank, 20 Wildcat Drive.

The tickets are $5 each or six for $20.

Washington Fire Chief Tim Frankenberg noted there were over 5,000 tickets sold the first day they were available for purchase, Wednesday. He added 100 percent of the proceeds go to BackStoppers.

Wagner said a similar contest and ceremony to light the new bridge will be held sometime this spring.

Viewing

Safety zones of 1,000 feet in every direction of the bridge will be in place and enforced on the day of the blast.

There will be an official viewing area for the bridge demolition set up on the riverfront east of the bridge on the Washington side of the river.

“Anyone who lives (or works) within 1,000 feet of the bridge will have to stay indoors,” Wagner said. “That includes those in the homes near the bridge and Mercy Hospital.”

The safety perimeter will be enforced by the Washington police, Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies and the Missouri Highway Patrol.

In addition to restrictions on land, the Missouri River will be closed for about 48 hours before, during and after the bridge demolition.

“Klondike Park will be the best place for boats to put in and out,” Wagner said. “If you are on the west side of the bridge, you won’t really be able to see anything anyway.”

Wagner said the U.S. Coast Guard will be patrolling the river and enforcing the closure during the demolition and recovery of the remains from the river.

BackStoppers

There are several families in Warren and Franklin counties who have been impacted by BackStoppers, Frankenberg said.

He added that Marschel Wrecking has contributed greatly to the organization.

“BackStoppers is a wonderful organization that provides support to the families of first responders who have been severely injured or died while in the line of duty,” said Joanne Marschel of Marschel Wrecking. “We thought it would be an exciting way to get the communities of both Warren and Franklin counties involved while contributing to a great cause.”