Just days left for landmark Progress Energy smokestacks north of St. Petersburg
The P.L. Bartow Steam Power Plant on Weedon Island will bid St. Petersburg an explosive goodbye Tuesday as its remaining smokestacks are demolished by Progress Energy.
The smokestacks, which have been a local landmark for more than 50 years, will be destroyed at 10 a.m.
The implosion, officials said, will be quick, lasting less than 10 seconds. Resulting noise and vibrations will be “well below levels that would cause any type of disruption,” according to Progress Energy that compared the disturbance to a brief rock concert. The ground will not noticeably shake beyond the 1,000 foot zone from which Progress Energy has banned the public during the detonation, officials said.
Demolition work had been under way at the plant in June, when part of the structure collapsed, killing a 65-year-old welder from West Virginia.
The Weedon Island Preserve will be closed Tuesday until officials deem it safe to the public.
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