Smokestack work to close East Toledo streets Friday
8/28/2014The last of three smokestacks at the former Toledo Edison Power Plant will be shortened to 100 feet via an implosion scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday.
Parts of Front Street will be closed for public safety and the Maumee River will be closed from the Craig to King bridges. An advisory from the city said, “Boaters who dock their vessels at the Skyway Marina are encouraged to move their boats Friday morning.”
Traffic on the Veterans’ Glass City Skyway will be reduced or come to a stop before the event. Beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, South Marina between Front and Riverside and Riverside between Main and South Marina will be closed.
Then, at 9:30 a.m., the following will be closed: East Broadway at Front, Elgin at Front, Essex at Front, Front between Craig Bridge/I-280 ramp and Essex, Licking at Front, Steel at Front, Tribute Park entrance at Front, and Worthington at Front.
The implosion is slated to end by 11 a.m.
Two smokestacks at the plant were demolished on July 16 by B&B Wrecking of Cleveland, which subcontracted with Dykon Explosive Demolition Corp. of Tulsa, Okla. The project cost $388,000.
In 2011, Toledo was the recipient of a $475,000 federal grant for cleanup and historic preservation, which was used to pay the cost of the project.
The shortened smokestack is slated to become a mock lighthouse, according to plans from city officials.
The city said, “Those with respiratory issues should avoid the area for a short time after the implosion.” To avoid dust, residents are asked to close windows and turn off air conditioners.
Kris Turner can be reached at: kturner@theblade.com or 419-724-6103.