The city of Fall River will begin tearing down the former central police station on Bedford Street this week.

 

The Fall River Police Department announced Monday in a social media post that, beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Bedford Street will entirely close at Seabury Street traveling west, and Troy Street heading north will close at Pleasant Street.

 

Bedford Street is already closed between High and Rock streets, which is right in front of the 111-year-old building. Drivers and pedestrians are urged to use caution and encouraged to seek alternate routes.

 

“This is going to be a long and tedious process,” Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan said.

 

Coogan said the closures will allow workers to bring in the machinery necessary to demolish the building.

 

The historic but blighted building is being torn down after years of sitting vacant. The Preservation Society of Fall River initially hoped to save the building, but Coogan said it is full of asbestos.