The demolition of the old Highway 47 bridge over the Missouri River scheduled for April 4 has been postponed due to the rising river level, according to Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) officials.The decision was made Thursday morning when projected levels of the Missouri River were updated by the National Weather Service.Now, the next tentative date will be Thursday, April 11, but no specific time has been given.Marschel Wrecking LLC, Fenton, is the subcontractor conducting the bridge demolition.A key factor in the demolition decision is the Missouri River level. In order to proceed with the blast, the river must be below 17-18 feet, MoDOT officials  have stated.The forecast for the morning of April 4 is over 20 feet.According to MoDOT Area Engineer Judy Wagner, it will take about six days to pack the explosives to demo the bridge. Once the packing begins, the only weather event that will stop it from proceeding is lightning.

The old Highway 47 bridge over the Missouri River has been stripped of all possible material prior to a demolition that will drop the remaining pieces of the bridge into the river.