At a series of public information meetings held on Saturday, officials from the states of New York and Vermont presented six concept plans for a replacement to the Champlain Bridge. The bridge was permanently closed on October 16 for structural defects. The closing caused much disruption in transportation on the western side of Vermont, especially for commuters. The states have been scrambling to find short-term and long-term solutions. On November 9, 2009 the governors of New York and Vermont declared that it was not feasible to rehabilitate the Lake Champlain Bridge and the bridge would be demolished. A replacement bridge would be constructed in the same location. More information about the Governors of New York and Vermont statements. The Public can offer its opinion on which design the states should pick for a new bridge by midnight tonight.
This declaration, the urgency of the situation and the fact that the new bridge will be in the same location have accelerated the lengthy environmental process that was originally expected. Advanced Explosives Demolition, Inc of Idaho will execute the controlled explosive demolition of the steel truss bridge as soon as possible. Officials have said they want to do it before the lake ices up. The cost for the demolition will be $188,000. Removal of the debris will be a separate expense, which has not been determined yet. The demolition is expected to receive Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers permits soon.
NYSDOT and VTrans presented six bridge design concepts at public meetings on December 12, 2009. The concepts are as follows:
Long-Span Steel Girder Bridge
Segmental Concrete Bridge
Steel Composite Cable-Stayed Bridge
Concrete Extradosed Bridge
Network Tied Arch Bridge
Network Tied Arch Bridge
December 12, 20009 Public Meeting Presentation
NYSDOT and VTrans are soliciting the public’s views on the six concepts until midnight Monday December 14th.
To participate in a survey on these concepts, take the bridge survey.
The following design alternatives were considered but have been eliminated from further study:
Rehabilitation is not possible due to advanced deterioration of the structure.
New locations for a replacement bridge have been dismissed due to the input the agencies received from the public. Also, a bridge in a new location would require a lengthy environmental process.
Replacing the bridge with a permanent ferry was dismissed based on feedback from the public. The project’s Public Advisory Committee also agreed that a permanent ferry would not meet the needs of the community.
Source: NYSDOT. VTrans. 12.12.2009