BILL EMERSON BRIDGE HAS BRIEF SETBACK

The reinforcing steel bar used in the construction of a portion of a concrete tower of the new Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge fell over Friday.

Matt Girard of the Flatiron Structure Co. in Cape Girardeau said the incident will set the bridge construction back by a week.

"It's just a temporary setback," said Girard. "The reinforcing steel bar used in reinforcing the concrete just fell over."

He said the steel is used in reinforcing a section of the 350-foot concrete tower of the bridge.

Girard said the tower must be built in 12-to-19-foot sections and must be reinforced with steel. Then the concrete is poured into the steel support.

No one was injured.