FLORENCE — Ghost Bridge is gone.

The 100-year old, single-lane steel truss bridge that spanned Cypress Creek near the entrance to the Forks of Cypress Plantation has been removed.

Lauderdale County Engineer Ken Allamel said construction crews will spend a couple more days cleaning up the area.

“Everything went well with the removal of the bridge,” Allamel told commissioners at their meeting Monday.

He said an Alabama Department of Environmental Management official was on site and stayed throughout the demolition process to make sure everything was done properly. He said he was pleased with the way everything was handled.

“It sure looks different down there,” said Reva Staggs, who lives just west of the bridge.

The bridge on Lauderdale 282 was built in 1912, according to local historians. The structure was closed in 1996, and county officials said it deteriorated to a point where it had become a liability for the county.

Demolition began on the bridge last week.

Through the years, the area became a “hangout” for people and a nuisance for nearby residents. County officials said there were several reports of illegal activities taking place at the bridge. Sheriff’s deputies were routinely called to the bridge to try to keep people away from the area.

Allamel said barricades that were put there keep to people from going to the bridge were torn down or destroyed.

“I hope this will stop some of the illegal activity that goes on down there,” Staggs said. “We don’t want the community to become headquarters for drugs, loitering and trespassing.”

Allamel said he plans to reinforce the barricades at the end of the roadway in an effort to stop people from getting to the area where the bridge once stood.

County officials said the area is closed to the public.

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.

Video: Ghost Bridge is History