Lake Champlain Bridge Demolition Postponed

• by New York State Department of Transportation

ALBANY, NY (12/22/2009)(readMedia)-- The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTRANS) today announced that the Lake Champlain Bridge demolition has been rescheduled to Monday, December 28, 2009 at 10 A.M. due to ice formation on Lake Champlain and severely cold temperatures which have significantly delayed work to prepare the bridge for demolition.

Safety issues associated with the bitter cold and high winds, as well as icing around the bridge have caused the delay, according to NYSDOT's blast subcontractor Advanced Explosives Demolition (AED). Therefore, the bridge will not be sufficiently prepared for demolition on the originally scheduled date, December 23.

The public and media are required to obey security protocols at the bridge through the preparation period by keeping a safe distance until the demolition can occur.

All members of the general public will be able to view the demolition of the bridge from the boat launch in Port Henry where a few chemical toilets will be available. An alternate viewing location will be open at Bulwagga Bay Park in Moriah however there are no toileting facilities at this site.

Scheduled road closures will not take effect on December 22 and 23, but identical closures will be put in effect on December 27 and 28.

Members of the public and media who plan to attend should prepare for bitter cold temperatures. Only media and essential staff will be permitted at the Crown Point Historic Site. The Crown Point Historic Site is designated just outside the 1,000 foot safety zone, however, media and others who will be at the site should bring ear protection, as the blast will exceed a 130-decibel sound level, and could present hearing safety issues.

Further details about the demolition are available online at www.nysdot.gov/lakechamplainbridge.

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