Historic Chester Bridge over the Mississippi River demolished

CHESTER, Ill. (NBC, KYMA) - The Old Chester Bridge is no more as the historic bridge over the Mississippi River was demolished Monday.

Crews demolished the 80-year-old bridge, and a controlled explosion dropped the bridge into the river.

The state says it had deteriorated beyond repair.

Construction finished on a replacement bridge earlier this year connecting Perryville and Chester over the Mississippi River.