Rapidan Dam bridge coming down [Video]

MANKATO, Minn. — The bridge in Mankato that spans the Blue Earth River near the Rapidan Dam is starting to come down.

Crews began demolition work Tuesday, months after extreme flooding pushed the river from its banks and eroded the land surrounding the dam.

The roaring Blue Earth River in June was well-publicized as it collapsed river banks and overflowed the Rapidan Dam, eventually toppling a home into the river. 

Crews are still trying to figure out what to do with the dam, but say that project will take years.

County engineers say they need to take down the bridge in the winter because spring melt could make the bridge less stable than it already is.

The Dam Store was demolished in June, but has since reopened in the old Wagon Wheel Cafe on Front Street in downtown Mankato.