Red Wing, MN (KROC-AM News) - A major step in the demolition of the old Red Wing Bridge took place Thursday.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation says construction crews used special industrial jacks and cables to lower the 288- foot long and nearly 40-foot tall center span of the old bridge. It was estimated that it would take 5 hours to lower the 800,000-pound structure onto a barge waiting on the Mississippi River to transport the huge iron structure to shore where it will be cut apart and taken to a scrap iron dealer.

MnDOT says cranes will be brought in to remove the other bridge spans beginning next week. That process is expected to be completed by mid-March.

The new Eisenhower Bridge of Valor opened to traffic in November but some finishing touches still need to be taken care of this year. State officials say that includes completing work on the bridge lighting and anesthetics, along with the pedestrian and bike path.

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