For those hoping to see the Fulton Road bridge imploded during the holidays, the Ohio Department of Transportation has a lump of coal for your Christmas stocking.

Actually, the dirty little present is imbedded non-friable asbestos.

The asbestos was found by demolition crews preparing the 74-year-old bridge for implosion. Its discovery means the spectacular razing will be delayed about six weeks until at least mid to late February and possibly as late as March, said ODOT spokeswoman Jocelynn Clemings.

"In the grand scheme of things, this isn't going to push back the project," she said, referring to the project's timetable.

The bridge over the Big Creek valley closed Oct. 5 and is scheduled to reopen to traffic in 2009. The new $50 million bridge will be designed to look like the old.

She said there are two types of asbestos — friable and non-friable. Friable is the bad kind, because it is dusty, easily transported by wind and can more easily get into people's lungs. The asbestos found in the bridge is less harmful, but still must be removed before implosion.

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