Contractor Selected for Lake Champlain Bridge Demolition

ALBANY, NY (12/10/2009)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee and Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) Secretary David Dill today 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.

"We have been working diligently to move this process along as efficiently as possible and I am pleased to be able to go forward with a plan for demolishing the Lake Champlain Bridge," NYSDOT Acting Commissioner Gee said. "We will make sure the public is well aware of our plans as we move ahead and will alert people about safe locations to view the demolition."

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.

The states also reminded the public that 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.

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.

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 vote on which alternative they prefer. Results will be considered before a final decision is made.