Old Chester Bridge comes down in seconds after generations of service

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CHESTER, Ill., (KBSI) — A piece of Mississippi River history disappeared in seconds Monday morning as crews demolished the old Chester Bridge.

Thousands of spectators gathered along the riverfront to watch the controlled implosion, which brought the steel structure down in about four seconds. Dust and smoke filled the air as the bridge collapsed into the Mississippi River.

Tom Page triggered the controlled demolition from a boat on the river. FOX 23 spoke with Page moments after he stepped off the boat following the blast.

“Well, it put a chill up my body,” Page said. “It was interesting. Put two fingers down and watch it blow.”

Getting to that moment required coordination well beyond the demolition site.

Chester Bridge Project Director Brian Okenfuss said crews worked with the Federal Aviation Administration, railroad and U.S. Coast Guard to coordinate the demolition.

“So it takes a lot of coordination to get the demolition scheduled,” Okenfuss said. “I have to work with the FAA, the railroad, the Coast Guard, and so just getting everything coordinated. We were able to get everything done and ready to go for today.”

The demolition became a community event, with local schools closing for the day and buses helping transport spectators to viewing areas.

The Chester Bridge had connected Illinois and Missouri for more than 80 years. The original crossing opened in 1942 after being built for about $1.4 million, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. Before its construction, travelers in the area relied on a ferry to cross the river.

The bridge faced a major setback only two years after opening when a powerful windstorm destroyed its two main spans. Reconstruction took about two years, and the crossing reopened Aug. 24, 1946.

Drivers paid a toll to use the bridge for decades before toll collection ended in 1988.

The aging structure measured 2,827 feet long and carried two lanes of traffic across a roadway only 22 feet wide.

While the implosion lasted only seconds, work at the demolition site continues. Crews have 48 hours to clear the channel, using cranes and barges to remove steel from the Mississippi River.

Monday’s demolition came with the bridge’s successor already standing nearby. The Don Welge Memorial Bridge, featuring three towers and a cable-supported design, now carries traffic between Illinois and Missouri.

With the new bridge in place, Monday’s implosion brought a dramatic end to a structure that had been part of the Chester riverfront for generations.

For Page, who grew up with the bridge, being the person to trigger its demolition brought mixed emotions.

“Oh, yeah. It was sad, but I’m happy at the same time,” Page said.