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VIDEO: Bridge on a Barge: Old Kosciuszko Bridge span dismantled, shipped down creek

July 26, 2017 By Paul Frangipane Special to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle
The main span of the old Kosciuszko Bridge being barged down Newtown Creek to be sent out of New York around 1:20 p.m. Wednesday. Eagle staff photos
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The old Kosciuszko Bridge was slowly lowered onto barges all day Tuesday and shipped down Newtown Creek Wednesday after a two-week delay from its publically anticipated July 11 demolition date.

The removal of the 125-foot main span of the bridge left a large hole in the air next to its vibrant replacement bridge for passersby over Newtown Creek to see.

The lowering process took about 16 to 18 hours as part of the $873 million investment to replace the bridge.

The main span was being shipped to a recycling facility in New Jersey, according to a statement by the Newtown Creek Alliance.

Contrary to popular belief, the bridge will not be demolished in an eventful night of explosion, but rather the remaining sections that stand over land will be imploded will little environmental harm to the area.

Two new six-lane spans will replace the old bridge from 1939 that connects Brooklyn and Queens. The first span opened in April, and the other will replace the demolished bridge by 2020, carrying east-bound traffic.

There are possibilities of adding park space and a boat launch on the Brooklyn side by 2020 as well, according to the Newtown Creek Alliance.

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