VIDEO: Sessler performs emergency bridge dismantling

Sessler Wrecking performs the emergency demolition of the Brookside Road Overpass Bridge in New Platz, New York. (PHOTO: Sessler Wrecking)

The company recently took down the Brookside Road Overpass Bridge in New Platz after being called in by local authorities.

Sessler said: “We were called into action to support the New York State Thruway Authority in the urgent demolition and restoration of the Brookside Road Overpass Bridge.

“This became imperative following the indefinite closure of the bridge due to multiple collisions over the years which caused significant structural damage.”

The demolition contractor carried out the works at night during weekend closures, employing a traditional mechanical method to bring down the structure.

“While it was not a possibility for Thruway Authority, we would have preferred the complete the bridge in one weekend,” said Sessler, which deployed multiple machines, including two Komatsu 360 excavators and a 490 model, as well as two Caterpillar 335 machines and a Cat 938M loader, for the works.

In total, Sessler’s team of 13 operatives demolished the structure without incident, within an extremely limited timeframe of just 12 hours. 

While the main challenge of the works was the tight schedule, Sessler said: “The first weekend we were supposed to work the operation was cancelled due to a snowstorm.

“The final weekend we worked, the temperature was in the low 20s and the bridge deck was very slippery with snow from a minor storm the previous night.”