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UPDATE:  The demolition of the Champlain Bridge has been postponed until Monday, Dec. 28, 10:00AM.

Story on the WCAX website at http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=11712020

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NEWS RELEASE Dec. 18, 2009

Ice Conditions around the Lake Champlain Bridge Expected to be Hazardous, Public Advised to Use Extreme Caution throughout the Winter

Contact: John Zicconi @ 802-828-1647

LAKE CHAMPLAIN - The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) are warning people that the ice surrounding the Lake Champlain Bridge and near Ticonderoga, NY will not be the same as in years’ past, and that recreational activities in the area should be conducted with extreme caution.

The establishment of a new 24-hour ferry service between Chimney Point, Vermont and Crown Point, New York will prevent ice from forming in the vicinity of the Lake Champlain Bridge. Ferries will move continuously from shore to shore to prevent ice from forming. In addition, the Fort Ticonderoga cable ferry which runs between Shoreham, VT and Ticonderoga, NY has installed bubblers and a thermal warming system to extend its operation into the winter months. Though the ferry is not operating 24/7, ice along the cable route will be minimal, if present at all.

No one knows exactly how far the ferry routes will affect the adjacent iced regions, but ferry traffic will certainly weaken the ice in those areas. The VTrans, NYSDOT, USCG, and SEMO are cautioning those who ice fish, operate snow mobiles, or drive all-terrain-vehicles that the ice around the Lake Champlain Bridge and the Ticonderoga ferry is unsafe, even during stretches of extreme cold.

“The ferry service will alleviate much of the burden put on commuters when the Lake Champlain Bridge closed to all traffic on October 16, but the ferries pose new risks to those who may try to cross the lake on their own once ice begins to form,” said VTrans Secretary David Dill. “People need to understand that ice conditions near the bridge will no longer be normal.”

With unstable ice conditions due to the ferry operations, state-to-state transit across the ice is even more dangerous this year. All persons are advised to stay off the ice and to keep clear of the ferry routes and Lake Champlain Bridge, which itself will be a construction zone as crews work all winter to demolish and remove the 80-year-old structure so that a new bridge can be erected in its place.

“Until the bridge is demolished it is at risk of collapse, especially during high wind conditions and when temperatures fall below 25 degrees Fahrenheit,” said NYSDOT Acting Commissioner Stanly Gee. “Further, once we demolish the bridge, the entire area will be a construction zone as we remove and dismantle bridge sections from the lake's channel and shore. The public should be aware of their responsibility to stay clear of the area and put safety first when making recreational or travel plans in the region.”

“Our first concern is the safety for both residents and first responders,” said John R. Gibb, Director of the State Emergency Management Office. “Even in normal years, local responders are called to rescue folks. This is not a normal year. It has new challenges and that means people have to use common sense and keep safety in mind when planning their outdoor activities. We continue to work with DOT and other involved State agencies to ensure that first responders are able to serve the community throughout the demolition and construction phase of this project.”

“No ice is safe ice,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Louis Coleman, officer in charge of Coast Guard Station Burlington. “A person who falls through the ice has an estimated survival time of 20 minutes. Because the response time near the Lake Champlain Bridge area is over an hour, chances of survival are slim at best should a person find himself in need of emergency assistance.”

 

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Lake Champlain Bridge Update11 Dec 2009

Today the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) announced that, as part of an expedited process to demolish the existing Lake Champlain Bridge and build a replacement at the same location, NYSDOT contractor Harrison & Burrowes Bridge Constructors, Inc. (H&B) has secured an expert subcontractor to demolish the existing bridge. Advanced Explosives Demolition, Inc. of Idaho will, working for H&B, plan for and execute the controlled explosive demolition of the steel truss bridge.

Details on the bridge demolition will be well advertised and safe public viewing locations will be determined. The demolition contractor will establish safety protocols for contractor employees and for the public to which they must adhere. The public will be prohibited from the area immediately surrounding the bridge, including the land, water and air. Access to certain roads also will be restricted for a distance to be specified by the states and contractor to ensure public safety.

REMINDER: Three identical public meetings will be held on Saturday, December 12, regarding replacement of the Lake Champlain Bridge. The meetings will be held at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. at the Community Building, 132 Montcalm Street in Ticonderoga, NY. The identical presentations will detail the replacement bridge alternatives, followed by a question and answer session. Staff from both states will be available throughout the day to receive feedback, discuss the options and answer general questions.

During the presentations, project team members will review the design criteria for the new bridge and the feasible bridge types available for consideration. Attendees will be asked for input regarding features that should be included in the design, such as sidewalks, bicycle lanes, lighting and materials used, as well as the style of the new bridge. Options for commemorating the historic bridge also will be presented and discussed. The meeting also will address demolition plans for the existing bridge, including when and how it is likely to occur.

For those who can not attend the 12/12 meeting, at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, renderings showing each of the alternatives will be made available on NYSDOT’s Web site at www.nysdot.gov/lakechamplainbridge. A survey also will be available until midnight on Monday, December 14, so the public can make their preferred bridge concept known. Results will be considered before a final decision is made.

NYSDOT has been informed that Basin Harbor Ferry has suspended its operations on Lake Champlain between Westport Dock, N.Y. to Basin Harbor, V.T., for the winter. Other ferry services are available from Essex, N.Y. to Charlotte, V.T., and from Ticonderoga, N.Y. to Shoreham, V.T.

Again, we thank you for your interest in the Lake Champlain Bridge project. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at the access points listed above should you have additional questions.

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November 25, 2009

Contact: John Zicconi— 802-828-1647

KUBRICKY CONSTRUCTION CHOSEN FOR CROWN POINT FERRY WORK

MONTPELIER – The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) this week chose Kubricky Construction to do the land work associated with the new, temporary ferry service at the Crown Point Bridge location.

Kubricky has already begun mobilizing equipment and staking out ground in preparation for full-scale construction to begin on Monday. The New York Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has also engaged a contractor for similar work on the New York side of the lake. Construction in New York began late last week.

Work being done on land to construct approach roads to the lake are a precursor to the in-water construction of the new ferry docks. Both VTrans and NYSDOT are finalizing construction plans for the docks, and in-water construction is expected to begin in early December.

“Things are progressing smoothly,” said VTrans Secretary David Dill. “All the permits needed for land construction are in hand and work has begun. We hope to have the all clear for water work next week.”

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LAKE CHAMPLAIN BRIDGE UPDATE: 11-20-09

It's been a productive week. Construction has begun on a new vehicular ferry terminal just south of the existing Lake Champlain Bridge.

New York on Thursday began clearing trees in anticipation of breaking ground on their approach roads to a new ferry dock just south of the closed bridge. Moving earth will follow quickly thereafter. Here in Vermont, we opened bids Thursday for our land and road work, and we will soon choose a contractor. We anticipate breaking ground early next week. One of the first things people will see is the erection of signs and installation of boundary fencing so that construction workers do not accidentally trample on sensitive areas owned by the Department of Historic Preservation. Moving earth will quickly follow. In short, construction on the new ferry has begun, which is a welcomed sight to us all.

As for in-lake construction, we are getting closer to a final design for the actual docking system. On Thursday, we had the Lake Champlain Transportation Company bring a ferry boat to the location to conduct test runs to help us understand just how close to the shore the boats can dock. We discovered the boat could get closer than anticipated, which is great news as the closer the boats can get to shore the fewer environmental impacts we will have. Currently, it looks like there will not have to be the need to dredge the lake bottom. Closer to shore also means less to construct, which in turn means the quicker the new service can begin.

As for timing, we need the land element primarily finished in order to mobilize equipment to the water. So the fact that the water element is behind the land element is OK. The goal is to have the water design and permits in hand by the time the land element is complete, which would make a seamless transition from land to water. No timeline yet for when everything will be operational. We will know more once we finalize the in-water design and know exactly what is needed (permits and construction) for the docks.

We are also moving quickly on bridge demolition. We are working with New York to finalize bid demolition documents so that we can fall the bridge before the lake freezes. Chances are good the plan will call for detonating the bridge in order to collapse it into the lake. Crews would then cut the steel and break the concrete into sections for removal. As for a new bridge, our engineering team plans to have several conceptual designs to us soon so that we can begin a public process to choose a design for a replacement bridge. Once a design is chosen, the goal is to quickly move through final design and engineering so that we can begin construction as soon as we can after the demolition is complete.

John Zicconi
Director Planning, Outreach & Community Affairs
Vermont Agency of Transportation
Secretary's Office
One National Life Drive
Montpelier, VT 05633-5001
802-828-1647

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The following weekly update newsletter was sent out on Thursday, November 19th:

Lake Champlain Bridge Update

Thank you for sharing your contact information with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) so we can be in touch about the Lake Champlain Bridge closure. The following is the weekly update regarding the Lake Champlain Bridge closure and plans.

Construction has begun on a new vehicular ferry terminal just south of the existing Lake Champlain Bridge in Crown Point. The State's transportation and environmental agencies are working cooperatively in an effort to move the construction forward and to manage any environmental impacts during this process.

Project engineers have laid out the approach to the ferry terminal site on the New York side of the lake. Building access roads to the lake represents the first phase of the ferry project, which will be followed by in-lake construction of the docks. Design work for the ferry is ongoing and engineers are studying dredging techniques that will be used in the area of the proposed docks on the New York side. In addition, federal and state agencies have approved the removal of a limited amount of lake-bottom mud necessary for constructing the ferry slip at Crown Point. Soundings have shown that the water depth is sufficient for a ferry dock at the proposed site and soil samplings have been completed. Work at the site has not revealed substantial archeological findings.

Construction of the approach road for the temporary ferry service near the Lake Champlain Bridge was started in New York. Construction in Vermont is expected to begin next week. The Lake Champlain Transportation Company is using one of their ferries to do ‘test runs’ which will help with the development of the landside infrastructure.

Governor David A. Paterson today announced the creation of a $2.935 million economic assistance program to help North Country businesses affected by the Lake Champlain Bridge closure. The program will address the region’s full range of economic industries by awarding grants to small businesses; making low-interest loans to assist small firms in paying employees and keeping their doors open; and helping farms and manufacturers offset increased travel costs.

The Lake Champlain Bridge economic assistance program will be administered by the Empire State Development Corporation and has three components:
* $1.3 million for Retail Assistance Grants: Small cash grants will be made to retail and service firms that have suffered revenue losses of at least 20 percent during the fourth quarter of 2009 fiscal year, when compared to the same period last year. These grants will compensate up to 50 percent of uninsured loss, up to a maximum of $10,000.
* $1 million for Targeted Assistance for Increased Travel Cost: Agricultural and manufacturing firms will receive assistance to reduce added business costs due to the distance that detours add to their routes. Initial loans for working capital and capital investment can be converted to grants upon retention of employment.
* $635,000 Community Revolving Loan Fund: Using a local community lender, loans will be made to help cash-strapped firms maintain payroll, order inventory and pay for operational expenses. Repaid funds will stay in the community for future business investment and growth. At the lender’s discretion, repayment may be deferred until service is restored.

Governor Paterson and NYSDOT have been meeting with state agencies and Vermont regularly to expedite actions to implement new ferry service, demolish the existing bridge and build a replacement. NYSDOT has also been in close contact with the Army Corps of Engineers, the Coast Guard and the Federal Highway Administration to determine federal oversight responsibilities and define the roles each agency can play in assisting establishment of transportation alternatives.

Since the bridge was closed on October 16, New York has worked in partnership with Vermont to provide transportation alternatives to the bridge, including free ferry service at two crossings north and south of the bridge and free bus service between the states. Over the weekend, the states reached an agreement that will allow the Ticonderoga ferry to continue operating as long as weather permits.

For more information about qualifying for the program, please contact Empire State Development at 1-800-STATE-NY (1-800-782-8369) or by email at champlainbridge@empire.state.ny.us.

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November 15, 2009

   Ti Ferry to Continue Through December

A WPTZ news item (copyrighted), with video, available on their site.

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Ferry To Continue Service Through End Of The Year

Rutland Herald
The Associated Press - Published: November 15, 2009

MONTPELIER — The Ticonderoga Ferry across Lake Champlain will provide service through December, weather permitting, under an agreement reached by Vermont and New York transportation officials.

The ferry from Shoreham to Ticonderoga, N.Y., has been a crucial link for many commuters since the abrupt closure of the Champlain Bridge a few weeks ago because of its deterioration.

The deal announced Saturday keeps the ferry open and running seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. free of charge for passengers.

The ferry service normally shuts down in the fall, but the company will install winterizing equipment so it can operate at least until the lake freezes.

In the meantime, snow and ice conditions could cause the operator to cancel or curtail service on short notice for either safety or mechanical reasons.

The states also are finalizing plans for a charter bus service from the Ticonderoga area to take people across the lake on the ferry between Essex, N.Y., and Charlotte.

The bus service will assure a reliable all-weather method of crossing the lake once winter weather sets in, the Agency of Transportation spokesman said.

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November 9, 2009
NEW YORK, VERMONT TO REPLACE CHAMPLAIN BRIDGE

Pier Analysis Completed, Rehabilitation Ruled Out As Viable Option

New York Governor David A. Paterson and Vermont Governor Jim Douglas have received a report from their states' respective transportation agencies which finds that it is not feasible to rehabilitate the Champlain Bridge. Engineers have declared that the 80-year-old span is too unstable to be renovated, and recommend demolishing the bridge for the safety of motorists and boaters. The states will accept these recommendations based on the overwhelming safety issues enumerated in the report and will begin planning the construction of a new bridge in its place. We expect the Federal Highway Administration to concur with this recommendation based on their preliminary review of the report.

An underwater inspection of the bridge's concrete piers and underlying foundations found cracks and significant deterioration in the unreinforced concrete substructures well below the water level that render these supports so fragile that a sudden collapse could occur.

"Safety was our primary concern when we closed the Lake Champlain Bridge last month and it is our chief interest now," Governor Paterson said. "We must make a decision that protects those who cross the bridge, as well as workers and engineers, and therefore we have no choice but to tear down the dangerously deteriorated bridge. Both states are committed to moving quickly to reestablish the critical link by building a new bridge in this corridor to serve commuters, farms and businesses."

"Reports indicate that the bridge is highly unstable and our harsh winter will only aggravate its condition. For everyone's safety, the bridge must be dismantled in a controlled fashion quickly so that a replacement bridge can be erected in its place," Governor Douglas said. "In the meantime, both states are working to install temporary ferry service as close to the bridge as possible so that motorists can once again begin crossing Lake Champlain between Addison and Crown Point."

The Governors also announced that ferry service will be established near the existing bridge. That effort has been fast-tracked, and the new service will be in place as quickly as possible.

Stanley Gee, Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), said: "Now that the analysis is completed and the bridge has been found unstable, we can work quickly to demolish the existing bridge and accelerate the process for building a permanent replacement. We look forward to restoring vehicle and pedestrian traffic across the lake. In order to preserve and protect the historically and environmentally sensitive areas on both side of Lake Champlain, we plan to build the replacement bridge as close to the existing location as is possible."

David Dill, Vermont's Secretary of Transportation, said: "We will begin the process of working on a new bridge immediately. The bridge closure significantly disrupted communities on both sides of the lake, and the fastest way to return families, businesses and farms back to normal is to quickly provide them a new bridge."

On October 16, inspectors in consultation with engineers determined that the bridge was unsafe for use and it was closed to protect the public. A detailed review and underwater inspection of the bridge's concrete substructure was ordered, and HNTB, NYSDOT's design consultant, is now finalizing a report based on the accelerated underwater inspection. The report outlines significant safety issues that would be associated with any potential bridge repair plan. The severity of deterioration to the piers would put contractors and engineers working in close proximity to the bridge in great danger. Cracks in the piers caused by repeated freeze-thaw cycles have made the structure too fragile to guarantee workers' safety. Oncoming winter weather conditions, including wind, freezing temperatures, snow and ice, only heighten concerns.

According to the report's Executive Summary, "If any major cracks were to develop diagonally in the pier or deterioration reduces the contact bearing area between concrete segments, the pier could fail without warning. The risk and safety for personnel working in close proximity to the existing, fragile bridge is too great to permit rehabilitation in any form. Moving forward, the existing bridge should be razed in a controlled manner eliminating the risk of sudden, potentially catastrophic, bridge failure."

Both Governors have emphasized that until a new bridge can be built, a temporary new ferry service should be established as quickly as possible. To that end, they noted that all of the required environmental documentation will be submitted to the appropriate federal agencies early this week, so that construction of new ferry docks can begin as soon as possible.

Last month, Governor Paterson and Governor Douglas announced transportation alternatives to assure that residents could cross Lake Champlain. Those alternatives include a free ferry service between Ticonderoga, New York and Shoreham, Vermont as well as free ferry service at Lake Champlain Transportation's ferry service at the Essex/Charlotte crossing. Additionally, a free express bus service now brings commuters to three major employers in Vermont, while a pedestrian ferry service was established north of the Lake Champlain Bridge between Westport, New York and Basin Harbor, Vermont.

A toll-free hotline number for information about the bridge closure - 1-888-769-7243 - which was established in October will remain open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those calling from the 518 area code may dial 518-485-1159. The New York State outreach center is located in the Lake Champlain Visitors Center at 814 Bridge Rd. in Crown Point.

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November 6, 2009

Lake Champlain Bridge Update

Governor Paterson and Acting Department of Transportation Commissioner Gee know that the bridge closure has greatly impacted life in your community, which is why the Governor declared a State Disaster Emergency <http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/press_1021091.html> in Essex County and the neighboring areas adversely affected by the closure of the bridge. We are committed to communicating with you on a regular basis until the bridge is reopened or replaced.

Starting today, you will receive frequent Lake Champlain Bridge Updates such as this one regarding the Lake Champlain Bridge and transportation alternatives for crossing the lake during the bridge closure. You can also check for additional information on the website we've created at www.lcbclosure.org<http://www.lcbclosure.org/>.

* New York and Vermont announced late last week that they have ruled out locating a temporary bridge at the Chipman's Point site between Putnam, New York, and Chipman's Point, Vermont. This decision was made after hearing from the community that the site would not meet their needs.

* The Department is examining a potential site for a temporary bridge in the hamlet of Crown Point. Soil boring at that site has been ongoing, but we have found weak soil and have not yet reached bedrock. We will continue to investigate and evaluate this site.

* The states are also investigating a site for a temporary vehicular ferry service about 1,000 feet south of the Lake Champlain Bridge. We're moving forward in acquiring necessary permits, in examining potential highway accesses to the site, in establishing a power source at the location for the ferry to operate, and with engineering work needed to understand soil conditions so that a safe, reliable docking system can be designed and constructed. We are encouraged by the initial findings, but more analysis is needed before final decisions about implementation and timing are made.

* Underwater pier inspections of the Lake Champlain Bridge have been completed, analysis of the results continues.

* At the October 28 public meeting, it was brought to our attention that many people working late shifts cannot make the last evening ferry to New York after leaving work. We're reaching out to Vermont employers to get more information about shift schedules and to work to make the ferry and transit hours more convenient for those who would normally cross the bridge.

* Free ferry service is available at the Ticonderoga and Essex/Charlotte ferries. Ferry operators have expanded their service to accommodate early morning and late evening crossings. The Ticonderoga Ferry has agreed to continue operating as long as weather will allow. We are working with the Vermont Agency of Transportation to establish a system for snow and ice control so the service remains open to commuters for as long as possible.

* New York and Vermont are also working on a contingency plan for when vehicular ferry service becomes unavailable because of winter weather conditions in Ticonderoga.

* Shuttle service is available from public and private park-and-ride locations - including the Wal-Mart in Ticonderoga and Nu-Cleaners in Port Henry - to the Essex/Charlotte Ferry. On arriving in Vermont, passengers can then board shuttles from the ferry to downtown Burlington. Additional park-and-ride locations can be found at www.lcbclosure.org<http://www.lcbclosure.org/>.

* Shuttle service is also available from the Essex County Fairgrounds to the pedestrian ferry between Westport, New York, and Basin Harbor, Vermont. Once the ferry reaches Basin Harbor, Vermont, there is a connection to Addison County Transit Resources' service to Middlebury Merchants Row.

If you have questions about the Lake Champlain Bridge or alternative crossings, please contact us toll-free at 1-888-769-7243 or please feel free to visit us at the Community Outreach Center, located at 814 Bridge Rd. in Crown Point.

Thank you from the New York State Department of Transportation

 

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Crown Point Bridge Update 11/3/09:

We are encouraged about the potential to establish a temporary ferry about 1,000 feet south of the bridge. Preliminary information shows this location is likely possible so long as we can get all the required permits. New York is working on their permits, which hopefully will come about the same time as ours. The location is in the general vicinity of the Bridge Restaurant on Route 17. The ground is staked out with flags and other markings, so anyone who visits the location can easily see the area we are investigating.

As we work with the various permit agencies – both state and federal ranging from environmental to historic to archeological – engineers are working on the dock and road design. The plan is to on the Vermont side establish a road down the embankment in the area of the Bridge Restaurant on land owned by the Department of Forest and Parks. No design has yet been finalized, but the likely scenario is that the ferry operation will involve some kind of a temporary bridge leading to floating barges that cars and truck drive upon to get out far enough into the lake to interface with the ferry. The water is shallow in this location, so the length of the barge likely will be some 300 feet as the ferry needs at least a 9-foot depth of water to operate. Lake Champlain Ferry Company is part of the team, and they are fully engaged in discussions with our engineers so that we have a full understanding of what their boats need to operate.

The landing on the New York side being investigated is also south of the bridge on land owned by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. Dock design likely would be similar.

Although preliminary indications are encouraging that this location can work, we caution everyone not to get overly excited just yet. Until we have permits in hand and our subsurface investigations regarding dock anchoring are complete, nothing is guaranteed. Any ferry system we establish must be highly stable in the water, and be safe for public use. Also, there is no timeline for establishing ferry operation at this point. We all know ASAP is the general operative, but first we must know the site is really viable. Assuming it is viable, just how long it will take to permit, design and construct will be calculated. We will know much more in the coming days.

We also continue to investigate locations in the Crown Point/Addison area were it could be possible to erect a temporary bridge. A survey team is searching for a viable location.

As for the closed bridge, divers were in the water over the weekend continuing their evaluation. We hope to have a draft report detailing the condition of its piers within the next week or two.

Some of you have asked about financial aid for the farmers, and whether grants are available to help them. We have been working closely with the Department of Agriculture, but the message we get is there are no pots of grant money (free money) available. We have been told that there are low interest loans for the Smith’s crop issues that can be obtained from USDA Farm Services Agency – and they are aware of this option. Vermont Economic Development Authority has provided a loan to the Smith’s at this point to conduct their harvest. The Kayhart’s have not requested assistance with a loan at this time. The Bodette Farm seems to be faring better than the other two, but this may become an issue next spring.

John Zicconi
Director Planning, Outreach & Community Affairs
Vermont Agency of Transportation
Secretary's Office
One National Life Drive
Montpelier, VT 05633-5001
802-828-1647 802-828-1647

 

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October 30, 2009

VTRANS AND NYDOT ANNOUNCE CHIPMAN’S POINT ABANDONED AS TEMPORARY BRIDGE SITE
Warns Residents to Avoid Closed Lake Champlain Bridge

New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee and Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) Secretary David Dill today announced that the states will not explore the crossing between Putnam, Washington County, New York, and Chipman’s Point, Addison County, Vermont, as a potential temporary bridge site. The states also advised motorists, pedestrians and boaters to avoid the closed Lake Champlain Bridge as a safety hazard.

“I have heard the residents loud and clear that any temporary bridge or temporary ferry service absolutely must be located in the vicinity of the Lake Champlain Bridge corridor, as close as is feasible and safe,” Acting Commissioner Gee said. “I am fully aware of how much this bridge closure has disrupted people’s lives and we will continue working to find a safe location for a temporary bridge to cross Lake Champlain in the Crown Point area.”

Secretary Dill added: “Survey crews are exploring locations on both sides of the lake and both south and north of the closed bridge searching for not only a temporary bridge location, but also a location from which we can establish a temporary ferry service that can be put into place until a temporary bridge can be erected. We are working seven days a week with the goal of getting people’s lives back to as close to normal as quickly as we can.”

The current 2,184-foot-long bridge spanning Lake Champlain between Crown Point, New York, and Chimney Point, Vermont, was closed earlier this month after piers supporting the bridge were found to be severely deteriorated. Citizens are asked to keep a clear distance from the bridge.

Acting Commissioner Gee said, “Under no circumstances should those in vehicles, on foot or boating in Lake Champlain travel under, on or near the structure. In the next few days, the water approaching and immediately underneath the bridge will be buoyed off to prevent boat access and warning signs will be posted. Although department personnel will continue to analyze the bridge, the structure is not safe for citizens. Once winter arrives and the lake freezes, individuals should not travel across the ice in vehicles or by foot.”

NYSDOT and VTrans are pursuing many alternative locations for a temporary bridge as well as for establishing temporary vehicular ferry service. Based on input received at this week’s public meetings, New York locations being explored all will be in the Port Henry/Crown Point vicinity and the immediate surrounding area, while in Vermont locations all will be in the Addison or immediate surrounding area. Currently, free ferry service is available via the Essex/Charlotte and Ticonderoga ferries, both of which have also extended their hours of operation.

A free pedestrian-only ferry service with early morning and late afternoon hours is also available from Westport, NY to Basin Harbor in Vermont, with free shuttle service to several Vermont employers and downtown Middlebury, VT.

NYSDOT and VTrans personnel will be performing survey work in these areas to help determine viable locations for a temporary bridge and ferry service, and may request permission to survey private property. This work is necessary to analyze the feasibility of each possible site, and in no way means a final location has been chosen.

NYDOT and VTrans are also exploring extending vehicular ferry service longer into the evening and further into the winter season. NYDOT has added more traffic control personnel at the Essex/Charlotte Ferry and the Ticonderoga Ferry. Additionally, shuttle service is provided from Crown Point to the Essex/Charlotte Ferry as well as from Essex/Charlotte to Burlington.

For additional information on available travel services, please visit www.LCBClosure.org.

Analysis of the bridge piers will continue as NYSDOT explores the options available, including rehabilitation or replacement of the Lake Champlain Bridge.

John Zicconi
VTrans Director Planning, Outreach & Community Affairs
Telephone: 802.828.1647 ¨ Fax: 802.828.3522 ¨ Email: john.zicconi@state.vt.us

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Crown Point Bridge Update 10/29/09:

New York has determined that the Chipmans Point area is likely not a good location for a temporary bridge, and exploration has shifted closer to the Crown Point location. We all heard loud and clear from at both public meetings that the preferred location is somewhere in the Crown Point area. We are working with NY on an official, joint press release that Chipmans Point is no longer under consideration, with a target release for Friday. The press release will be spread widely and published on all websites. In the meantime, feel free to tell the locals – I already have talked to some – that this location is now off the table. The only reason we are waiting until tomorrow to officially release this information is that NY has considerable “process” involved when they want to make a public statement like this, and they cannot line up their ducks until Friday.

Beginning tomorrow, an investigative team will begin looking at a potential temporary bridge location between Crown Point and Bridport. Exactly where is what they are investigating, as they will be in many places on both sides of the lake, so locals may in fact see people surveying in the area. Other locations in the bridge area will also be considered.

Please caveat anything you may tell the public about Chipmans point with the fact that although this location is now off the table in favor of investigating locations closer to the bridge, if all of those investigations fail to produce anything that is possible there is always the chance that Chipmans point gets reconsidered. We do not anticipate this happening, but I hope you all can appreciate that you should never say never.

We also heard loud and clear at the two community forums that the preferred location for a new, temporary ferry service is as close to the bridge as possible. VTrans is also investigating a temporary ferry location just south of the existing bridge so that vehicles would still use the local roadway near the Bridge Restaurant. Talks with the Department of Historic Preservation, owner of the land, are going well, and we are shooting to have an agreement on a location early next week. A New York location across the lake still needs to be identified, and talks will need to involve the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. Assuming locations can be identified, dock design would be the next step.

Just in case it will be needed, we also continue to investigate a possible retrofit of the Ticonderoga ferry location to accept larger, icebreaking boats that can carry trucks. Borings, right-of-way issues and other investigative engineering is ongoing, with the hope of knowing in the next couple of days whether retrofitting this site is possible, and if so, what it will take to “make it happen.”

We continue to evaluate the bridge piers – divers were in the water today. For those who did not hear, it was announced at the public meetings that the earliest repairs could be completed is spring/summer. How or if that will change is information that is still be gathered, and as we know more we will pass it along.

Let me know if you have any questions.

John Zicconi
Director Planning, Outreach & Community Affairs
Vermont Agency of Transportation

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October 26, 2009

NEW YORK GOVERNOR PATERSON AND VERMONT GOVERNOR DOUGLAS ANNOUNCE TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES TO ASSIST RESIDENTS IMPACTED BY THE CHAMPLAIN BRIDGE CLOSURE

New York and Vermont Transportation Agencies Continue Work to Assess Bridge Deterioration and Develop a Repair Plan

In response to the recent Champlain Bridge closure, New York Governor David A. Paterson and Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today announced transportation alternatives so that residents can cross Lake Champlain. New York and Vermont have reached an agreement with the Fort Ticonderoga Ferry operator to offer free ferry service between Ticonderoga, New York and Shoreham, Vermont and with Lake Champlain Transportation to offer free ferry service at the Essex/Charlotte crossing. Also, starting tomorrow, free express bus service will bring commuters to three major employers in Vermont. In addition, pedestrian ferry service has been established north of the Lake Champlain Bridge between Westport, New York and Basin Harbor, Vermont.

“Governor Douglas and I continue to work diligently on both sides of the Lake to offer transportation alternatives to New York and Vermont residents who have been impacted by the closure of the Champlain Bridge,” Governor Paterson said. “We will continue to work with Vermont to find temporary solutions for crossing Lake Champlain and longer-term solutions for reopening the bridge to traffic.”

Governor Douglas said: “Governor Paterson shares my commitment to easing the burden on commuters, reestablishing truck and agricultural vehicle traffic, and allowing businesses and families to get across Lake Champlain in a safe affordable and timely manner. These alternatives are an important step in that direction. We are going to continue to make this our top transportation priority.”

Free Ferry Service

Both New York and Vermont officials have reached an agreement with Lake Champlain Transportation to subsidize free ferry service for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, buses, fuel trucks and standard-width agricultural vehicles, including dairy trucks crossing the lake between Essex, New York and Charlotte, Vermont. The two states also reached an agreement with the operator of the Fort Ticonderoga Ferry to offer free service between Ticonderoga, New York and Shoreham, Vermont. The free services will begin tomorrow.

Express Bus Service

New express commuter bus service between New York and three major Vermont employers will also begin tomorrow. The free commuter service will transport workers between two parking locations in New York to Porter Medical Center and Middlebury College in Middlebury and the B.F. Goodrich plant in Vergennes. The two-hour bus trips will run Monday through Friday, with morning pick ups and evening drop offs occurring at the Fort Ticonderoga Ferry site and the boat launch on Dock Lane in Port Henry. Buses will depart New York at 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. each morning and will depart Vermont at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. each evening.

Pedestrian Ferry

A pedestrian ferry between Westport and Basin Harbor began operating today. Parking is available at no charge at the Essex County Fairgrounds and complementary shuttle bus service will transport pedestrian passengers to the ferry. Parking is also available at the Basin Harbor Club in Vermont.

Shuttle Bus Service

Essex County Transit and Addison County Transit will operate shuttle buses between several park-and-ride locations set up in New York and the ferries. Routes are expected to include Crown Point and Ticonderoga in New York and the B.F. Goodrich plant in Vermont.

Anne Noonan, Vice President of Marketing and Traffic at Trailways Transportation System said: “We are pleased to be working with the New York State Department of Transportation to offer assistance to those who need transportation at this time.”

Other Options Being Explored

At the direction of both Governor Paterson and Governor Douglas, New York and Vermont transportation officials continue to explore additional ferry service options. The Ticonderoga Ferry and Essex/Charlotte Ferry have already extended their operating hours, utilizing lights provided by the New York State Department of Transportation. The states are also examining options for an expanded vehicle ferry service that could accommodate trucks at the Ticonderoga ferry location.

The two states continue to move forward with structural assessments of the Lake Champlain Bridge. Diving inspections performed last week and over the weekend revealed that two piers supporting the bridge are in need of repair. Additional piers will undergo further underwater inspections this week, after deep mud and zebra mussels are removed from the structures. A plan is being developed to encase the deteriorating piers in reinforced concrete, though the repair work could take several months to complete.

New York is exploring the option of installing a temporary bridge south of Ticonderoga to carry traffic in the interim. Locations adjacent to the current bridge are not feasible because of the fragility of the existing structure.

Public Forums

Work continues on a repair plan to reopen the 2,184-foot-long bridge between Crown Point, New York, and Chimney Point, Vermont. Public meetings regarding the bridge closure have been set up for Tuesday, October 27, at the Addison Central School located at 121 Vermont Route 17W, Addison; and on Wednesday, October 28 at the Moriah Central School located at 29 Viking Lane, Port Henry. Both meetings will begin at 7 p.m. Additional information will be provided at the meetings.

Vermont Director Announced

Governor Douglas today also announced that he has tapped 34 year New York Department of Transportation veteran and current Vermont Agency of Transportation project manager, Jim Harris to lead Vermont’s multi-faceted approach to managing the Champlain Bridge closure.

“Jim Harris’ leadership skills and his ability to manage challenges that extend beyond transportation make him more than qualified for this vital role,” said Governor Douglas. “He has more has 40 years of experience in transportation and project management. His expertise on the ground in Addison County everyday dealing with the wide-range of challenges, from economic and jobs loss to agriculture, caused by this transportation crisis will be essential.”

Harris’ responsibilities will extend beyond the transportation situation caused by the Champlain Bridge closure. Harris will act as the point of contact for all Vermont state agencies and departments as well as local officials and the public.

For More Information

In New York, Governor Paterson has established a toll-free hotline, 1-888-769-7243, and a walk-in outreach center at the bridge. Additional information about the bridge and available options for crossing Lake Champlain is available at http://www.lcbclosure.com. Vermont residents can call 211 for information regarding the bridge closure. An Addison County office location for Vermont Project Manager Jim Harris will be announced soon.

Dennise R. Casey
Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director
109 State Street ¨ The Pavilion ¨ Montpelier, VT 05609-0101
Telephone: 802.828.3333 ¨ Fax: 802.828.3339 ¨ TDD: 802.828.3345