D-O-T sets up viewing site for bridge blast Sunday

You’ll have a blast watching a bridge implode in Des Moines this weekend. The Iowa D-O-T used tons of explosives last Sunday to implode the southbound Cottage Grove Bridge that crosses I-235 northwest of downtown Des Moines. D-O-T spokesman Bill Lusher says they discouraged people from watching the first implosion for safety reasons, but several people turned out anyway. He says several people showed up throughout the area, making it difficult to keep the area secure. So they’ve decided to create a viewing area this time around. He says if you want to watch, you have to be in the designated area. Go to 26th street on the north side of the freeway to get to the viewing area. Lusher says they hope providing a viewing area will keep all spectators in one safe place. He says they didn’t know what to expect when they blew up the first bridge. He says it is kind of exciting to see the bridge blown.The second implosion will take place at two a-m Sunday and will last about three seconds. He says traffic will be shut down for several hours after the implosion while crews haul away the rubble.