7 things to know about implosion of Ohio’s highest bridge

The remaining old section of the Jeremiah Morrow Bridge on Interstate 71 in Warren County will be imploded on Sunday morning.

The new bridge took more than six years and $104 million to finish.

» FIRST REPORT: I-71 in Warren County to be blocked Sunday for bridge implosion

Here are 7 things to know about the implosion of the remaining old section of the state’s highest bridge:

Prep work

Explosive charges will be placed along the remaining steel segments of the old southbound span of the bridge.

All the concrete, and the steel over the Little Miami River, have already been removed.

» MORE: Video story on completion of Morrow bridge construction

Clear the area

Neighbors have been warned. No one — except those assisting with the operation — will be allowed within the protected zone during the demolition. No public viewing will be offered, the Ohio Department of Transportation said.

» RELATED: 6 other times structures were blown up on purpose

Complete stop

At 5 a.m. Sunday, I-71 will be closed between the interchanges at Ohio 48 and Ohio 741. The ramps from Ohio 123 to northbound I-71, east of Lebanon, and from Wilmington Road to southbound I-71, will also be closed. Detours will be set up, and the bike path and Little Miami River below the bridge will be closed.

» MORE: Who was Jeremiah Morrow?

When it’s time

Weather permitting, at 7 a.m. radio contacts will be made with people at checkpoints leading into the secured zone. If all is clear, about 7:15 a.m., the countdown will begin.

The numbers 10 through 6 will be counted out loud, the final five silently, leaving the line open in case there is an alarm.

Unless there is an alarm, the charges will be set off and the steel is to implode, dropping the steel pieces to the ground.

» MORE: ODOT traffic camera at Jeremiah Morrow bridge

After the blast

A crew will determine if the charges demolished the last of the old bridge.

Another crew will inspect the new bridge to ensure there was no damage from the implosion.

The roads, trail and river could be closed until 11 a..m. Project Engineer Adam Treiber hopes to have everything reopened sooner than that.

» EARLIER: I-71 bridge, Ohio’s tallest, nears completion after 6 years, $104M

What will follow

The rest area is to reopen June 1.

The new bridge is to be completed by July 31.

It happened before

The north section of the old bridge was imploded in June last year. Another section was demolished in May 2014.

WATCH: Section of Jeremiah Morrow Bridge is imploded

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