Foxburg Borough Council members July 7 said the evacuation order will move the nearest viewing in town up to Summit Avenue from which a view of the bridge is somewhat limited.

PennDOT last week opened a new span over the river and the destruction of the old bridge is part of the final stages of the project.

Small explosives will blow out the iron pins holding the bridge together and the span will fall into the Allegheny River . Work crews will then cut the bridge sections into manageable pieces and the steel and iron will be recycled.

Foxburg's new four-span, multi-girder bridge carries two lanes of traffic and replaces the original structure, a one-lane Warren Truss Bridge constructed in 1921 on pre-existing piers and abutments.

Construction began on the $10.1 million replacement project in February 2007. Ornamental lighting and railings will also be added to the bridge. Prime contractor is Beech Construction Inc. of Carnegie.

 The new Foxburg Bridge will be temporarily closed next week from Monday through Thursday, July 17, during preparation for the demolition of the existing bridge. No specific time has been set for the dropping of the old bridge.

The proximity of the new bridge requires that it be closed during preparation for and demolition of the existing bridge.

PennDOT has scheduled demolition for Thursday, July 17, although the date is subject to changes as conditions warrant.

Traffic will be detoured along State Route 268 to State Route 208 through Emlenton to State Route 478 through St. Petersburg to State Route 58.

“As soon as the first man walks out on to that bridge with the first explosives the bridge will be closed,” explained Foxburg Borough Council President Lou Kalinowsky.

Foxburg Borough Council members July 7 agreed to ask the contractor for 15 to 20 of the stones used in the pier construction of the old bridge and for the plaque on the bridge.

Council members hope the stones and the plaque will be used in the future as part of a new borough office and community center.