[FONT=Verdana]The driver who endured the toughest commute over the old Wilson Bridge soon will get payback: Later this month, he or she will trigger detonation charges that will cut and bring down a nearly half-mile stretch of elevated steel girders that supported the old bridge over Jones Point Park in Alexandria, Virginia.

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project's Toughest Bridge Commute contest recognizes the sacrifice of regular bridge crossers, both before and during construction, by honoring the commuter who endured the worst.

The target time and date for the detonation is 12:00 a.m., August 24 (midnight between Thursday and Friday), but may occur at a later date, based on work progress or weather delays. The firm date will be announced as soon as it is confirmed.

The detonation is part of the demolition of the original Wilson Bridge, which began last month, just after traffic was switched onto the first new bridge. The immediate demolition of the portion of the old bridge over Jones Point Park is required to make way for the second new span, opening in mid-2008.

The original Woodrow Wilson Bridge carried an estimated 73 billion vehicles between December 28, 1961 and July 15, 2006.

The contest to detonate the old bridge has a historical link to the both crossings' namesake: On October 10, 1913 from the White House, President Woodrow Wilson pushed a "button" that detonated a mountain side to make way for the Panama Canal.

The $2.4 billion Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project is more than 60 percent complete and remains on schedule and on budget. In addition to the second new bridge opening in 2008, the revamped I-295 and MD 210 interchanges will be completed that year. The new US Route 1 interchange will be finished in 2009, followed by the Telegraph Road interchange in 2011.[/FONT][FONT=Verdana][/FONT]