Amidst race against time, AED counsels caution over tomorrow’s blast.
With less than 24 hours until the scheduled implosion of the Keystone Towers in Indianapolis, explosive demolition specialist Advanced Explosive Demolition (AED) is managing expectations as it races to make ready for the blast.
The company is reported to be on target with preparations for the main tower, but the last-minute addition of a second, smaller tower has the company pulling out all the stops to be ready in time. Against that background, AED is admitting that the smaller block may pose some challenges.
“Three weeks ago, we found out there was more asbestos in the building than we had expected. So, we had to start working 14-hour days to get it all taken care of. But after a while, we decided to implode it instead of conventionally tearing it down,” said Frank Burdick, project manager for main contractor Denney Excavating.
“We had no drawings from the city, which isn’t the city’s fault — they just didn’t exist,” said Mark Wilburn, operations manager with Advanced Explosives Demolition.
Friday night, Advanced Explosives Demolition will begin installing 750 pounds of explosives, which is almost twice as much explosives as the company planned to use.
“The only concern we have is on the eight-story tower with the elevator shaft. Since we didn’t have drawings, it’s possible the eight-story will fall, but the elevator shaft. We’re 99 percent sure it will all come down,” said Mark Wilburn.
