Blasting at bridge includes plans to evacuate

Thursday, hundreds of area residents voluntarily skipped their morning coffee to view the delayed 7 a.m. blasting of the old Mississippi River bridge's second span. Amanda Crader of 201 Lorimier St. in Cape Girardeau was not among them.

Crader was sleeping, as she typically does until about 2 p.m. But when another span of the bridge comes down two weeks from now, Crader and some of her neighbors will be "strongly encouraged" to wake up early and leave their homes and businesses.

At a Friday riverfront news conference, the Missouri Department of Transportation announced that the destruction of the 671-foot Span 1 -- that closest to the Missouri side -- will take place at 6:30 a.m. Sept. 9.

As with the first two explosions, a safe zone within a 1,500-foot radius of the blast will be set up. However, this time that safe zone encroaches upon several business and residential blocks of downtown Cape Girardeau. As a result, MoDOT and the Cape Girardeau police and fire departments will be asking those living and working in the zone to evacuate that area for a few hours beginning at 6 a.m.

The zone extends north to Merriwether Street, west to Asher Street and the alley that connects Morgan Oak to William Street, and south to near the Aquamsi Street intersection with Fountain Street.

"We don't take second-best on the safety of the public or our workers," said Scott Gustafson of Dem Tech demolition company, which is handling the explosion.

In an attempt to limit the disruption of morning routines, MoDOT also is working to arrange transportation and a safe alternate location for those affected during those morning hours. Meyer said he is trying to set up free breakfast, newspapers, television, radio, pet care, fitness facilities and even hair salons for those affected.

Meyer also said residents of the safety zone will get priority seating to view the demolition on Cape Girardeau's Riverfront Park, where again MoDOT recommends all spectators come to see the action.

In addition, MoDOT said some residents in the eastern part of the zone will be asked to leave again when Span 2 comes down a few weeks later.

The primary concern is keeping people safe from flying debris during the explosion. Gustafson said this type of demolition uses charges encased in copper jackets. When the charges are detonated, the jackets can be projected at about 28,000 feet per second -- about seven times faster than the speed of a bullet -- and travel an average of 400 feet.

To illustrate, Gustafson brought an example of a fired casing, a twisted, 2-foot strip of copper found about 400 feet away on the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge after the last blast.

He also said the area will experience minimal ground vibration. In the worst case, panes of glass may be broken on some homes. Gustafson said his company is insured to handle any property damage resulting from the blasts.

Although the evacuation is not mandatory, project officials "strongly advise" those living in the area to leave before the blast for their own protection. MoDOT's Meyer said that once the exact number of residents in the safe zone is ascertained, a mass mailing will go out to those affected. In addition MoDOT will canvass the area, with representatives going door-to-door to disseminate information.

No matter what the perks, Crader and her roommate, Michael Triplett, aren't thrilled at the prospect of leaving their home in the early morning.

"I'm going to be mad," Crader said. "I don't want to get up early."

"I guess we're going to have to," said Triplett. He and his neighbors said the last two blasts rattled their windows.

Triplett wasn't as worried as Crader. He said his routine usually starts around 9 a.m.

"At 6 a.m.?" asked Jennifer Parent of 221 William St. in calm disbelief. "Oh my God."

trehagen@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137