It is Wednesday, and you know the drill: it is time for another exciting Wrecking Wednesday! This week, Sessler Wrecking is shining the spotlight on the Route 17/I-81 Interchange demolition in Binghamton, New York.
Sessler Wrecking was tasked with the removal of a double-spanned, four-lane bridge and on/off ramps over NYS Route 7, Broad Street, and the Norfolk Southern Railway line. The scope of the project was substantial, with a total of 305,000 square feet of bridge and ramps removed.
During the bridge removal, the team salvaged and recycled 6,500 gross tons of steel, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability and material reuse. To maintain the traffic flow over NYS Route 7 during demolition, Sessler utilized its patented wing trailers and overhang brackets, ensuring safety and minimal disruption.
One of the major challenges involved live electric lines above the bridge span. This was addressed through a tandem crane pick approach and the use of Sessler’s engineered pick frame, which provided both stability and safety during removal. Additionally, the team cut and safely removed 260-foot bridge girders in five sections using a 350-ton crane, carefully avoiding any disruption to rail service below.
