{
  "id": 4852086,
  "title": "In 2016, Arkansas tried to blow up a 93-year-old bridge; it simply wobbled back",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/in-2016-arkansas-tried-to-blow-up-a-93-year-old-bridge-it-simply",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-01T11:42:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/in-2016-arkansas-tried-to-blow-up-a-93-year-old-bridge-to-begin-a-98-4-million-replacement-the-explosives-went-off-and-the-bridge-simply-wobbled-back-into-place/articleshow/133678113.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On October 11, 2016, a controlled implosion attempt to demolish the 93-year-old Broadway Bridge in Arkansas failed. The bridge, originally built in 1923 to connect Little Rock and North Little Rock across the Arkansas River, did not collapse into the river as planned. Instead of dismantling, parts of the bridge fell against themselves, leaving the main span standing. Demolition crews eventually had to attach cables to the structure and use barges to pull it down five hours later. The failed implosion became one of the most memorable events in the bridge's history, which had served for over nine decades. The old Broadway Bridge was finally replaced with a new $98.4 million crossing, opening on March 1, 2017, less than five months after its closure.",
  "summary": "An Arkansas bridge demolition failed unexpectedly on October 11, 2016. Explosives weakened the structure, but it did not collapse as planned. Crews then used barges and cables to bring down the aged structure. A new bridge was constructed and opened to traffic in March 2017. The unusual demolition became a memorable part of the bridge's history.",
  "key_points": [
    "Arkansas attempted to demolish 93-year-old Broadway Bridge in 2016",
    "Controlled implosion failed, bridge wobbled and remained standing",
    "Bridge replaced with new $98.4 million crossing in March 2017"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}