Demolition and replacement of the fire-damaged East Russell Street Bridge in downtown Fayetteville began this week, the North Carolina Department of Transportation announced Thursday.
The NCDOT said a ruptured gas line in 2023 sparked the fire that bent the steel beams, buckled the deck and damaged the pavement beneath the eastbound span at Blounts Creek. Since then, the eastbound bridge has been closed.
The westbound bridge at the same location was unaffected by the fire and has remained open, the release said…