Controlled blast of rail bridge over Big Sioux River to now take place on Aug. 19, BNSF says

NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (KCAU) — UPDATE (6:17 p.m.): BNSF has rescheduled the controlled blast of the collapse rail bridge on the South Dakota side of the Big Sioux River.

It will take place at 9 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 19, BNSF said in a Thursday evening update. Below is an expected timeline of events for the morning of the controlled blast.

• 8:45 a.m. – Check points are established and roads closed within the 1,000-foot perimeter in North Sioux City and Sioux City
• 8:55 a.m. – All personnel are in safe locations and public is out of perimeter. Five-minute warning siren sounds
• 8:59 a.m. – One-minute warning siren sounds. “All Clear” check from all check points confirmed
• 9:00 a.m. – If “All Clear,” then 10-second count down to the blast
• 9:05 – 9:15 a.m. – Blasters conduct post-blast inspection
• 9:15 a.m. – If the “All Clear” has been given from post-blast inspection, the perimeter is reopened to the public.

The controlled blasting operation for the second span is still planned to take place on Sep. 6. Work on the removal of the collapsed bridge spans is expected to take several weeks. The rail bridge collapsed the night of June 23 during the record flooding that hit Siouxland.

BNSF provided the reschedule as they said they received the necessary permits from the the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers . The permit now allows them to start the work needed so the company can remove the failed railroad bridge spans over the Big Sioux River at North Sioux City and Sioux City.

The update also stated that the safest way to remove the bridge spans is through controlled blasting operations. Roads within a 1,000-foot perimeter of the site will be closed to the public during that time. The company will provide more information regarding the road closures once plans are finalized.

While BNSF works to keep on schedule to make the Aug. 19 blast date, work on the project site starts Friday, Aug. 9 and crews will work double shift Friday, Saturday, and possibly Sunday.

The company said in its update that it apologizes for any inconvenience to the local communities and asks for the public’s cooperation to ensure a “safe and efficient execution of the demolition plans.”

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NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (KCAU) — UPDATE(4:03 p.m.): BNSF said it doesn’t yet know when the blast will occur.

That was the company’s response to KCAU 9 when asked if the dates controlled blasts have been canceled.

A company spokesperson said it is still waiting to get the permit returned from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps told KCAU 9 Thursday morning that the permit is still being processed.

On Tuesday evening, BNSF said it was planning in the coming weeks two controlled blasts of the bridge as part of the bridge removal. The first blast would have been on Aug. 16 would be on the South Dakota side of the bridge and then on the Iowa side on Sep. 6. The permit from the Corps had not been approved at that time either.

The BNSF spokesperson said the company will be “able to confirm more specifics about” the timing of the controlled blasts when it gets the permit.

BNSF has not answered other questions regarding the controlled blasts.

KCAU 9 is also awaiting a response from Ames Construction.

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The dates for controlled blasts of the collapsed rail bridge over the Big Sioux River between Sioux City and North Sioux City have been canceled.

According to an updated post on the Union County Emergency Management Facebook page , the dates for controlled blasts have been canceled.

“These dates have been cancelled at this time,” the post stated.

KCAU 9 reached out to Union County Emergency Manager Jason Westcott for comment but he was not available.

KCAU 9 has also reached out to BNSF and Ames Construction multiple times and not received a response.

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There is a new time set for the controlled blasts of the collapsed rail bridge over the Big Sioux River between Sioux City and North Sioux City.

According to a post on the Union County Emergency Management Facebook page , both controlled blasts will take place at 9 a.m. on Aug. 16 and Sep. 6.

BNSF confirmed to KCAU 9 on Tuesday that they were planning two controlled blasts of the bridge as part of the bridge removal. The first blast on Aug. 16 would be on the South Dakota side of the bridge and then the Iowa side on Sep. 6.

The Facebook post from Union County Emergency Management says that residents, businesses, and everyone else within 1000 feet of the clast should remain indoors from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.

Security checkpoints will also be established. The flyer appears to show that those security checkpoints and road closure will be located in North Sioux City on Military Road, Main Street, and River Drive. On the Iowa side of the river, there will be checkpoints on Military Road, Home Street, and also near the Sioux City Railroad Museum .

BNSF General Director Public Affairs Lena Kent told KCAU 9 that while a demolition wont occur until after they get a permit secured through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers . The Corps told KCAU 9 Thursday they are still processing the permit.

Kent said BNSF was beginning door-to-door contacts with residents and businesses within a 1,000-foot perimeter of the area this week. The company also said it started communicating with local law enforcement to ensure public safety.

USACE began seeking public input on the removal of the bridge in July with the input window having closed Monday. The train bridge collapsed in the overnight hours between June 23 and June 24 during the record flooding that hit Siouxland.

As officials work out the details of the controlled blasts, some groups have not yet learned their roles in the situation.

A spokesperson with the City of Sioux City said that there are many conversations happening as they work to finalize plans. Meanwhile, the Sioux City police are unaware of any plans.

Union County Emergency Manager Jason Westcott said they are in the loop. Woodbury County Emergency Management Coordinator Michael Montino said he is aware but details of the event are still fluid.

As of Tuesday, multiple local officials KCAU 9 spoke with said they were unaware of the controlled blast.

KCAU 9 reached out to BNSF with further questions Wednesday and again Thursday but did not receive a response.

This is a developing story. KCAU 9 will update as we learn more.

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