The Kosciuszko Bridge Is 'Energetically Falling' Down

Months after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo officially opened a new span of the Thaddeus Kosciuszko Bridge with all sorts of pomp and ceremony, the remains of the old one are finally being demolished.

The 78-year-old bridge was lowered and taken away by barge back in July to be dismantled for scrap, but the approach spans stayed behind. Now, the pre-World War II pieces of infrastructure will be brought down on Sun., Oct. 1.

Just don't expect any explosions.

When the state Department of Transportation first announced that the old Kosciuszko Bridge would be demolished, several Facebook pages popped up advertising the event as a dramatic sight, complete with explosions right out of an action movie. But officials say the actual demolition process—called "energetic felling"—won't be quite as dramatic.

"It's not, you know, expected to be any large explosion with fireworks and debris and dust. What they are expecting is it's actually going to be a fairly debris-free process," New York City Councilman Stephen Levin, who represents Greenpoint, said.

Still, that doesn't mean there won't be something to see. In fact, New Yorkers who want a good view have until noon on Sat., Sept. 30 to sign up for a lottery—the lucky winners will nab a spot at a designated viewing site nearby.

"The energetic felling of the approach spans of the former Kosciuszko Bridge marks another milestone in the construction of the first major new bridge in New York City in more than 50 years and is one more sign that New York State is building a brighter future," Cuomo said.

Regardless of how exciting the demolition will be, drivers will definitely want to avoid the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, if they can. The BQE will be closed down for the duration of the demolition, which could stall traffic on either side bank of Newtown Creek for much of the morning.