Explosives to take down Traffic Bridge Sunday morning

Crews prepare Saskatoon's Traffic Bridge for demolition. (Kevin Menz/CTV Saskatoon)

Explosives will be taking down a portion of Saskatoon’s old Traffic Bridge, city officials say.

Officials announced Thursday explosive charges will be used to knock down the 108-year-old structure’s two south spans. The demolition is set for Sunday at 9 a.m.

“The condition of the bridge itself doesn’t allow us access to the bridge, so in this case, we can actually do all the work on the drop zone of the bridge,” said Tristan Rakowski, a blasting specialist with Rakowski Cartage and Wrecking.

“Safety usually dictates how we do the demolition method. In this case, this is the best way to do it.”

An area, covering a 250-metre radius from the blasting site, will be blocked off to the public starting one hour before the demolition.

The blast will only last a few seconds, the city said in a media release.

Broadway Bridge will be closed to traffic but open to anyone who wants to watch the demolition.

The new Traffic Bridge is expected to be completed in the fall of 2018.