Brayton Point chimneys to be demolished March 23

SOMERSET - The three short chimneys at the former Brayton Point power plant will be demolished Saturday, March 23, at approximately 8 a.m., according to Commerce Development Company.

The demolition is expected to take six seconds. The three short chimneys will fall to the south, away from the blue powerhouse building (akin to a tree being cut down), according to the company.

This is a much smaller event than the planned demolition of the cooling towers on April 27. Disruption will be minimal, according to the company.

Rolling road blocks will begin five to 10 minutes prior to demolition, controlled by State Police, on west-bound I-195 and both directions of Route 24 that will last approximately 15 minutes. Emergency vehicles will be able to bypass the rolling roadblocks. Mobile traffic signs have been placed in DOT approved locations in advance of each implosion.

Local police and fire will be monitoring both Somerset and Swansea neighborhoods. Residents only will be allowed in and out of the area.

Maps and details can be founed shown are found on the town website.

Additionally, Commerce Development Company will distribute flyers door to door this week.

The public is also welcome to continue sending questions:

• Click “Questions for Brayton Point Informational Meeting” button at braytonpointcommercecenter.com

• E-mail info@braytonpointcommercecenter.com

• Call and leave a voice message: 508-901-9622

or via mail at Brayton Point LLC, 1515 Des Peres Road, Suite 300 ~ St. Louis, MO 63131.

The cooling towers are expected to be demolished Saturday, April 27. Somerset Selectmen Chairwoman Holly McNamara said the town and the company will continue to provide updates on that project as they become available.

In planning the implosion efforts at Brayton Point, the owners have worked with the following agencies and organizations to establish how best to protect the health and safety of the surrounding communities: Controlled Demolition Inc.; The Town of Somerset; The Town of Swansea; The City of Fall River; Massachusetts State Police; Swansea, Somerset, and Fall River police departments; Swansea, Somerset, and Fall River fire departments; the local harbormasters; U.S. Coast Guard; Mass DOT; Mass DEP, and various state and local politicians.

The plans have undergone rigorous technical and safety review from the above organizations over the last several weeks and months (including National Grid, who has extensive and expensive infrastructure very close to the towers).