Jef NickersonYesterday, the Lake Champlain Bridge between Crown Point, NY and Addison, VT was demolished, and the Burlington (VT) Free Press has the video.
You may have heard that the bridge was shut down by New York and Vermont officials last month, and here’s why:
Photo NYSDOT
Though the bridge was inspected regularly, the November inspection showed a remarkable acceleration of deterioration, prompting the immediate closure of the bridge. The bridge’s closure has resulted in massive detours for people on either side whose lives had become used to having the bridge there. New York and Vermont are working to launch a temporary ferry service and yesterday’s demo was the first step in building a replacement bridge.
As a Rhode Islander, I find it amazing that the replacement bridge is due to open in 2011, when is the new Pawtucket River Bridge scheduled to open? Sakonnet River? Barrington Bridges took literally how many decades?
Here’s a look at some of the proposed designs for the new bridge:
Photos
More proposed alternatives at NYSDOT.
More coverage at the Burlington Free Press.
Greater City Providence
It all has to do with funding. RI has traditionally had poor representation in congress when it comes to funding big projects. The last big one was the I-195 relocation. That pretty much drained all the funds for other projects in RI.
After leaving my family’s home late, parking 3 miles away, and running 2.5 miles to the lake edge I was close enough to hear and feel (in the air and the lake ice) the demo of the bridge but due to the reduced visibility (snow) I could not see it. Being mostly there was worth the effort.
Folks expect the Modified Network Tied Arch Bridge to be the replacement.
It is worth checking out the film of the opening: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G8yikBeung&feature=related It is interesting that the original bridge was seen as a major cultural and economic link between VT and NY something we take for granted in today’s small world.
Ferry service has started as temporary relief for the bridge.
Boston.com