LCRA green lights explosives in bridge demo

February 15, 2013, 2:45 pm by Adam Troxtell

The use of explosives to detonate the metal frame of the 281 bridge has been approved by LCRA.

The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has given the contractor working on the US 281 bridge project permission to use explosives in a demolition.

A waiver to use explosives on the old bridge, which is required since LCRA bans explosives and fireworks on its dams and waters, was conditionally granted Thursday. The permit is subject to contractor Archer Western and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) coordinating with the City of Marble Falls, Burnet County Sheriffs, LCRA Rangers, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) about safety and emergency response plans regarding the demolition. The agencies must be contacted by March 7.

"[The waiver] may not be the only condition required,” LCRA spokeswoman Clara Tuma said.

For the full story, see Tuesday's Highlander.