DETROIT – After standing for more than 100 years the iconic Packard Plant bridge collapsed onto East Grand Boulevard on Detroit's east side.
No injuries were reported. Clean up to clear the debris is underway, but it's not clear how long it will take to reopen the road.
When the Packard Plant opened in 1903 it was considered the most modern car manufacturing facility worldwide. The plant operated until 1958.
"It's like losing an old friend," Marvin King said.
King is a self-proclaimed Packard Plant historian. He rushed to the scene after learning the old pedestrian bridge came crashing down.
"This plant for Packard guys is like the pyramids to Egyptologists, this, for us, is close to being sacred ground," King said.
The bridge was destroyed and security noticed pieces of bricks crumbling onto the road.
"We went to block off the streets and we looked around and that's when I saw the bridge just fall down," Ron Dickerson said.
Arte Express purchased most of the plant six years ago and plans are underway to revitalize the area. The company owns one building the bridge was connected to and the city of Detroit owns the other.
READ: Pedestrian bridge collapses at former Packard Plant on Detroit's east side
The city of Detroit released the following statement:
"Today, a portion of the Packard Plant pedestrian bridge collapsed over East Grand Boulevard. No injuries have been reported and the affected portion of the road has been shut down by the Detroit Police Department.
Our first priority is to ensure the area is made safe for the public and the roadway is reopened as soon as possible. The City is taking the lead on clearing debris and inspectors from the Buildings Safety Engineering and Environmental Department and Detroit Building Authority are on scene to assess this situation. We are making plans to bring in a contractor to remove the debris as quickly as possible."
The city released a second statement around 8 p.m. Wednesday, that is available below.
"The Detroit Building Authority has contracted with Blue Star Demolition to perform the removal of the collapsed Packard Plant pedestrian bridge over E. Grand Boulevard. Blue Star is a pre-qualified vendor under an existing emergency contract the city has in place for unexpected situations such as this.
Blue Star workers are arriving on site this evening to begin their assessment and to develop their plan for safely separating the remainder of the bridge structure from the buildings on each side and removing the debris from the roadway and adjacent areas.
We expect that active work will begin in the morning. There is no timeline yet established for the completion of work and the reopening of the road. The first priority is the safety of the workers and the public. The roadway will remain closed until work has completed and security staff from Arte Express will be on site around the clock to help ensure that no unauthorized individuals enter the area."