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Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge
Old and new Missouri River bridges
Ak Bridge death neat, clean job
The submerged bridge . . . began trapping ice chunks floating down the Missouri River. Demolition of the bridge's piers is expected to begin after Christmas.
Ak Bridge death neat, clean job
The fallen giant . . . was being cut up for scrap shortly after the blast by workmen for Allied Structural Steel of Hammond, Ind. The sight caused a minor traffic jam on the I-480 bridge as motorists stopped to take a look.
Bridge executioners arrive
Swapping set . . . from the Iowa side of the Missouri River, Allied Structural Steel employees will soon be moving to Nebraska to prepare for final demolition of the Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge which overshadows the river scene. --Nonpareil Photo.
Ak-Bridge scene
Ak-Bridge scene . . .won't be changing much in the next few months as decisions are made on how to get rid of the last 400-foot long center span. Several plans have been offered. --Nonpareil Photo.
CB Park board would save, help develop Ak Bridge pier
The object . . . of the Council Bluffs Park Board's efforts the next few weeks will be this three-pillared Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge pier, on which is proposed a two-story, quasi-public building. --Nonpareil Photo.
Down to open water
The last above-water scraps of the mid-channel pier that once supported the Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge Wednesday were being scooped onto a waiting barge for disposal. Large iron plates that were attached to the pier for protection against the ravages of the…
Fading Ak-Sar-Ben scene
The remains of the Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge came a step closer to obliteration Thursday. Crews continued blasting the bridge's piers, shown behind the crane barge, to bring them down near water level. Truman Ferguson, superintendent of the demolition job,…
One bolt at a time
For a cutting torch man, working your way to Omaha from Council Bluffs is a slow one-bold-at-a-time pace. As the Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge is chopped up for scrap, traffic continues to roar across the shiny new I-480 bridge to the right. Demolition of the…
16-minute hearing. No protests to Ak-Bridge closure
At hearing . . . on closing the Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge and its right-of-way are City Atty. Hugh Finerty and Asst. Iowa Atty. Gen. Robert Lego.--Nonpareil Photo.
As it slowly rusts... willows are lulling old bridge to sleep
Whispering willows . . . in the shadow of the Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge set a relaxed mood for the 78-year-old span, the home of many generations of pigeons. --Nonpareil Photo.
All but gone
All but gone. The bare bones of the last remaining span of Ak-San-Ben Bridge, which for 79 years served motorists between Council Bluffs and Omaha, were scheduled to be blasted into oblivion Saturday afternoon by experts subcontracted to Allied…
All but gone...
All but gone . . . is the section of bridge from the Iowa side, out to the first pier in the Missouri River. These large barges will be used in the salvage work. The pier will be saved to serve as a foundation for a proposed two-story office building…
Steel patternwork
Steel patternwork . . .in the main span of Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge will be partially dismantled and partially floated away late this summer. Robert Hoenig, job superintendent for Industrial Construction Division of Allied Structured Steel Co., surveys the…
Flu halts Ak Bridge demolition
The steel skeleton . . . of the late Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge backs up floating ice in the Missouri River as it lies in state on the Nebraska bank. --Nonpareil Photo.
Birds lose nesting places as . . . Ak span fades away
Roller nest . . . inspected by Robert Hoenig allowed old Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge to exercise its joints once in awhile. -- Nonpareil Photo.
Scrap span plan junked, coup de grace delayed
Superstructure . . . of the Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge has gained a short reprieve from destruction due to weak members. -- Nonpareil Photo.
Before reopening
Before reopening . . . of Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge, Mayor Joseph Katelman and Manager Pete Pakey view barrel barricades at Douglas Street approach to the old span. At left, autos climb the Interstate-480 Bridge ramp. -- Nonpareil Photo.
It's just about gone
Truman Furgeson, superintendent for Allied Structural Steel Co., Hammond, Ind. watches as crews continue whittling away at the bones of the Ak-Sar_Ben Bridge on the Nebraska side of the Missouri River. Bridge portions in the water were fished out…
Setting the sand
About 8,500 of sand was packed around the six dynamite charges on the bridge as a precaution against destructive concussion. Workmen were hoisted to the top of the west end of the span to complete the packing shortly before the detonation.