The west side 22 ton leaf of the South Park Bridge was cut away from the base today and lowered on to a waiting barge. The east leaf will be removed in the next few days and both of them
On a day that seemed more like November than August the first leaf of the South Park bridge (on the South Park side) was removed Aug. 31.
The day began at 7 am with the arrival of one of the largest floating cranes in America. The "D. B General", based in Seattle and owned by General Construction, moved slowly into position in preparation to lift an estimated 450,000 pounds of bridge span.
Workers spent the day cutting away the massive counterbalance and girder supports.
At 6:55 pm the last cut was made and the bridge swung free and was carefully lowered onto the barge that will take it away for salvage.
This process will be repeated when the second leaf is removed and both leaves will then be barged to another site for salvage and recycling.
That is now mostly likely going to take place Thursday Sept. 2.
