Historic Chester Bridge over the Mississippi River Demolished

Historic 80-year-old Chester Bridge demolished with explosives over Mississippi River

Demolition crews used explosives Monday to bring down the 80-year-old Chester Bridge into the Mississippi River after the new Don Welge Bridge opened.

Historic Chester Bridge over the Mississippi River demolished

The historic Chester bridge over the Mississippi river was demolished Monday. The Old Chester bridge is no more.

Old Chester Bridge comes down in seconds after generations of service - KBSI FOX23 News Cape Girardeau News

CHESTER, Ill., (KBSI) — A piece of Mississippi River history disappeared in seconds Monday morning as crews demolished the old Chester Bridge. Thousands of spectators gathered along the riverfront to watch the controlled implosion, which brought the steel structure down in about four seconds. Dust and smoke filled the air as the bridge collapsed into the Mississippi River. The demolition...

Crews implode the Chester Bridge over the Mississippi River

Crews are scheduled to implode the historic Chester Bridge connecting Perryville, Missouri, and Chester, Illinois, on Monday morning following its replacement by the new Don Welge Memorial Bridge.

In a flash, history tumbles down

CHESTER — Hundreds of people gathered along the riverfront Monday morning to watch the 80-year-old Chester Bridge come down. Then, in a matter of seconds, it was gone. Explosives ripped through the old bridge, sending it crashing into the Mississippi River as cheers rose from the crowd. A piece of local history had disappeared, marking the end of one era and the beginning of another for the crossing between Illinois and Missouri.     Capitol Ne…