Out with the old

Florida Department of Transportation officials faced the task of demolishing the Sunshine Skyway Bridge following an accident which damaged the structure. The project's first phase involved dismantling the main piers, deck and structural steel. The demolition phase included lowering the main span using a special rig with cables. Then, steel trusses were cut with the use of explosives which detonate on a small area and burn through the steel. Cranes served to detach the concrete beams. Meanwhile, workers demolished the concrete piers with explosives and took them below the waterline.