East Russell Street bridge being demolished

By Staff Report, posted Jan 23, 2025 on BizFayetteville.com

A fire that broke out underneath one of the East Russell Street spans in downtown Fayetteville caused severe damage to its substructures, warping its metal beams (shown above). An NCDOT contractor began demolishing the damaged bridge this week. Photo provided by NCDOT.

Contract crews began this week removing the East Russell Street bridge heavily damaged by fire in downtown Fayetteville.

A ruptured natural gas line sparked the fire about one year ago underneath the eastbound span over Blounts Creek. The N.C. Department of Transportation barricaded the bridge after the fire bent the steel beams, buckled the deck and damaged the pavement.

The westbound bridge at this same location was unaffected and has remained open.

The department is spending about $75,000 on the demolition, which is needed for safety, before a new bridge can be designed and the funding for this unexpected replacement project is identified.

The department will share a timeline for the new bridge when those plans are finalized.

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