JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- As the city makes way for a new bridge, debate about the old Fuller Warren Bridge has reached a fevered pitch, with opponents speaking out against proposed plans to dump the old bridge at the bottom of the St. Johns River.

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Opponents: DOT Not Considering Environmental Effects

The St. Johns riverkeeper, along with several city leaders, has promised to fight the idea.

"Progress is good. Defiling a river in the name of progress is bad," said local attorney Wayne Hogan.

An unlikely group of elected officials, environmental organizations and concerned citizens has banded together to oppose the Department of Transportation's plans to dump the demolished Fuller Warren Bridge into the river.

"This was just an idea the DOT took upon itself, with little or no analysis on environmental impact," explained St. Johns Riverkeeper Neil Armingeon (pictured, right.

But the DOT disagreed.

"We have demolished bridges in the past in a similar manner," explained DOT official Mike Goldman (pictured, left).

And they argued that the environment doesn't suffer.

"What would go in the river would be nonpolluting and not hazardous to marine traffic. Any of the polluting materials, like rebar, we would fish up," Goldman said.

The DOT also said it wouldn't touch the bridge unless the proper permits are approved. If not, other options include hauling off chunks of the bridge on barges, though DOT officials say this isn't the best idea.

But others say demolition is a worse idea. Many believe the dumped bridge would have a detrimental effect on the river.