News reports suggest that Bellaire Bridge demolition might finally happen; we’re not convinced.
As Yogi Berra one said, “it’s like deja vu all over again“. Local news reports are suggesting that the Bellaire Bridge – which seems to have been at the centre of a legal wrangle for most of its 86-year history – might finally fall this summer.
After delays and court fights over ownership, KDC Investments, which owns the bridge, and its demolition contractor are nearly ready to bring the bridge down, said Benwood police chief Frank Longwell.
The structural steel is in sound condition. The main concern of Benwood officials is the condition of the roadway. Part of the West Virginia approach to the bridge is over a city street lengthwise for a short stretch.
“Every now and then you get little chunks of concrete that fall and damage vehicles – nothing major,” Longwell said.
The city is waiting for KDC and its demolition contractor to obtain a $5 million general liability bond and a $1 million performance bond before it allows the bridge to be demolished, Longwell said. The city had originally requested a $5 million performance bond but cut that back to $1 million, he said.
Read more here or look back over the on-off demolition saga here.
