WATCH: Drone video shows Keowee Bridge coming apart

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

The Keowee Street Bridge over the Great Miami River is coming apart. Contractors have begun the process of demolishing the more than 80-year-old concrete and dirt-filled structure.

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Last month, about half of the bridge decking was jackhammered out, revealing tons dirt/slag fill underneath that sat atop the concrete arches of the bridge. Dump truck loads of the debris were hauled away.

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Contractors have started the demolition process for the old Keowee Street Bridge over the Great Miami River.  Decking has bee removed about halfway across the span.  Dirt and foundry slag that filled the concrete based bridge is being removed before the concrete structure is demolished. The bridge replacement will take about two years according to Montgomery County Engineer Paul Gruner.   TY GREENLEES / STAFF

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A construction bid of $8.8 million was awarded to Eagle Construction for a new bridge and the demolition.

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The Keowee St. Bridge is the last of the filled arch bridges in Montgomery County and carried about 20,000 cars daily between Harrison Township and the City of Dayton.

Contractors have started the demolition process for the old Keowee Street Bridge over the Great Miami River.  Decking has bee removed about halfway across the span.  Dirt and foundry slag that filled the concrete based bridge is being removed before the concrete structure is demolished. The bridge replacement will take about two years according to Montgomery County Engineer Paul Gruner.   TY GREENLEES / STAFF

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The bridge is structurally deficient, according to Montgomery County Engineer Paul Gruner.

“It’s in very poor condition. There’s pieces of concrete falling off onto the bike path and into the river. It needs to be done for the safety of the public.”

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The new bridge will be wider and is being designed to “accommodate the needs of the rowing community. The spans are longer. They’ll be able to pass two skulls underneath, side-by-side. The project will take about two years, or two construction seasons,” Gruner says.

Contractors have completed a detour for users of the Great Miami River Recreational Trail on the north side of the Keowee Street Bridge.  The bridge was closed to traffic in December and the Eagle Bridge Company is preparing to demolish the 81-year-old structure and rebuild a new bridge over the next two years.  The Great Miami River Recreational Trail passes under the north side of the Keowee Street Bridge along the river.  The short detour of the Great Miami River Recreational Trail ramps up to Embury Park Road and crosses North Dixie Drive on the north side of the bridge with a length of about one thousand feet.   TY GREENLEES / STAFF

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Detours around the bridge have been posted for vehicle traffic since it closed in December and contractors have completed a detour for users of the Great Miami River Recreational Trail on the north side of the Keowee Street Bridge.

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