VIDEO: Torrence Avenue bridge demolished

CHICAGO -- The Torrence Avenue bridge in the South Deering neighborhood on the Far South Side was demolished Thursday.

The framework of the bridge over the Grand Calumet River was blasted in order to dismantle it, according to a statement from the Illinois Department of Transportation. The bridge was closed in May 2015 after a routine inspection revealed that the structural steel had deteriorated.

The current detour will remain in place throughout the construction with northbound traffic directed east on Sibley Road, north on Burnham Avenue and northwest on Brainard Avenue back to Torrence Avenue, IDOT said. Southbound traffic flows in the opposite direction.

Motorists should expect delays through this area, IDOT said.

Expected to be completed in summer of 2017, the new bridge will have a multi-use path and standard sidewalk to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians, IDOT said.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire - Copyright Chicago Sun-Times 2016.)