Night time blast sends north bound lane of the Red River bridge plummeting

Clarksville, TN – Bell & Associates Construction blasted out the remaining concrete columns and the roadway support beams on the north bound lane of the Red River Bridge in a tremendous explosion early on the morning of Wednesday, August 24th, 2011. The explosion took place at 12:02am during which time traffic on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard was completely shutdown.

The demolition was handled by explosives technicians from Engineered Explosive Services. The process first involved cutting almost completely through the massive steel support beams, then placing shaped cutting charges to finish the job. The support columns had been pre-drilled to allow explosive charges to be placed inside. Once that was complete, all equipment located on or near the bridge had to be removed. Then after a final safety check, it was time for the blast.

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Governor Identifies 450 Transportation Projects for Funding

Projects to be funded through Recovery Act, Bridge Bonding and Traditional Funds

NASHVILLE– Governor Phil Bredesen yesterday released a final list of projects to be funded with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds (Recovery Act), proposed bridge bonds and TDOT’s regular funding mechanisms. The three-tiered program represents more than 450 projects statewide touching every county in Tennessee.

“The Recovery Act is fundamentally about creating and retaining jobs during one of the toughest economic times our nation and state have faced since the Great Depression,” said Governor Bredesen. “This three-tiered program represents a record investment in Tennessee’s transportation system. The Recovery Act, along with the bridge bonding and TDOT’s regular program, will put thousands of Tennesseans to work rebuilding and strengthening one of Tennessee’s largest economic drivers, our transportation system.” [Read more]