State DOT Seeks Federal Assistance on Lake Champlain Bridge Repair

ALBANY, NY (10/21/2009)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee has informed the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that the state will be requesting federal assistance to repair the Lake Champlain Bridge, which was closed late last week due to safety concerns. NYSDOT also has been aggressively working on devising temporary and long-term solutions to minimize the impact on people who use the bridge on a regular basis.

The 80-year-old bridge spans Lake Champlain between Crown Point, Essex County, and Chimney Point, Vermont. The two states made the decision to close the bridge after further analysis found problems with the bridge's concrete foundation.

A letter from Acting Commissioner Gee to the FHWA seeks approval to commence contracting emergency procedures. FHWA approval would allow New York State and Vermont agencies to expedite repairs to reopen the bridge and more quickly and efficiently help communities respond to the bridge closure.

Governor David Paterson today declared a State Disaster Emergency in Essex County and neighboring areas affected by the bridge's closure. The governor's actions include establishing a toll-free hotline for up-to-date information on bridge issues and opening an outreach center at the site of the bridge in Crown Point. In addition, information is available on NYSDOT's Web site at www.nysdot.gov/lakechamplainbridge.

NYSDOT and the Vermont Agency of Transportation continue to analyze data from the piers to develop a repair plan to reopen the bridge as soon as possible. The states also are considering options to the 100-mile detour caused by the bridge's closure, including a temporary bridge and additional ferry service. As part of this effort, NYSDOT has supplied lights to the Ticonderoga and Essex ferries to allow them to operate earlier in the morning and later in the evening. NYSDOT also is looking at adding ferry service near the site of the closed bridge. Furthermore, NYSDOT is working with officials in the affected areas to provide additional transit services. New York State and Vermont officials have repeatedly stressed the importance of the bridge to commuters, truck companies, the farming community, emergency service providers and the public in general.

Currently, a signed detour diverts motorists on U.S. Route 4 through Whitehall, New York, and on Vermont Routes 22A and 17, a distance of approximately 100 miles.

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NOTE: Attached is a copy of Acting Commissioner Gee's letter to the Federal Highway Administration.

Posted Wednesday October 21, 2009 at 05:09 pm by New York State Department of Transportation