Bridge demolition, clean-up nearly complete near Rapidan Dam

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - Demolition of the County Road 9 bridge next to the Rapidan Dam is virtually complete

Back on February 5, demolition crews used explosions to bring the bridge deck down to the river bed. Since that time, they’ve been cleaning up the debris left behind.

In the video taken Tuesday morning from the KEYC News Now drone, you can see the bridge supports have been removed from the Blue Earth River and crews are now working on removing the remaining concrete debris.

Heavy rain in June 2024 caused severe flooding that breached the Rapidan Dam on the western side.

Erosion around the supports of the bridge led county officials to decide to remove and replace the bridge due to safety concerns.

Blue Earth County officials say removal of the Rapidan Dam likely won’t be finished until 2028.

construction is expected to begin on the new bridge sometime next year.

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