APS News

October 2006 (Volume 15, Number 9)

Boom! Goes the Bridge

For almost 45 years, the old Woodrow Wilson Bridge carried the Capital Beltway across the Potomac River between Maryland and Alexandria, Virginia. In under a second, using the tools of physics, chemistry and civil engineering, a significant portion of the bridge in Alexandria disappeared with a series of flashes, a bang and a cloud of dust. The demolition occurred in the wee hours of August 29, while traffic on the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge (visible at right) was shut down to avoid potential mishap. Despite the late hour, a crowd of several thousand witnessed the blast; included among them was intrepid APS News photographer Ken Cole.

photo by Ken Cole

For almost 45 years, the old Woodrow Wilson Bridge carried the Capital Beltway across the Potomac River between Maryland and Alexandria, Virginia. In under a second, using the tools of physics, chemistry and civil engineering, a significant portion of the bridge in Alexandria disappeared with a series of flashes, a bang and a cloud of dust. The demolition occurred in the wee hours of August 29, while traffic on the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge (visible at right) was shut down to avoid potential mishap. Despite the late hour, a crowd of several thousand witnessed the blast; included among them was intrepid APS News photographer Ken Cole.

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Editor: Alan Chodos
Contributing Editor: Jennifer Ouellette
Staff Writer: Ernie Tretkoff

October 2006 (Volume 15, Number 9)

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Articles in this Issue
Cherry A. Murray Elected New APS Vice President
New Program Extends Open Access Offerings of APS Journals
War Disrupts Mideast Physics Communities
Sprouse To Succeed Blume as APS Editor‑in‑Chief
APS Members Now Have Easy Access to Network of Experts
Treasurer Looks to Keep Journals Healthy in Challenging Environment
Boom! Goes the Bridge
All Liquids Banned from Airlines!
Letters
Viewpoint
The Back Page
Members in the Media
This Month in Physics History
Physics and Technology Forefronts
International News
Washington Dispatch