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MIAMI (CBSMiami) — Contractors started to demolish what is left of the FIU pedestrian bridge on Monday.
Crews are removing two columns that remain from the horrific bridge collapse in March 2018, which crushed cars and killed six people.
The FIU pedestrian bridge was under construction at the time of its collapse.
FIU pedestrian bridge collapse. (Source: Miami-Dade Fire Rescue)
The bridge was being built in the city of Sweetwater as a safety measure so that students did not have to cross the busy highway to get to and from its Modesto A. Maidique campus.
Following the collapse, the two columns were never removed but must be demolished now in order to begin construction on the new bridge.
Demolition gets underway on Sept. 17 of the remaining FIU pedestrian bridge pillars ahead of construction of a new bridge. (CBS4)
The columns are located on both sides of 8th Street, requiring lane closures that will cause traffic delays.
Starting September 27, one outside eastbound lane of SW 8th Street approaching 109th Avenue will be closed for around 3 weeks. Once the first column is removed, crews will then move to the Sweetwater side, or northside of 8th Street and that could take another three weeks.
Construction of the new bridge is expected to start in summer 2023 and last about two years.
Florida’s Department of Transportation will directly oversee the design and construction of the bridge.