The Champlain Bridge connecting Route 17 in Addison with New York state was closed Friday until further notice. The sudden closure was the result of inspectors finding a pier deteriorating at the water line. The bridge, at the crossing of Chimney Point and Crown Point, NY, is the responsibility of the State of New York, which will come up with alternative solutions until the bridge is repaired at least temporarily. Eventually the bridge could be repaired or replaced. Major construction was not expected to take place until 2013. A project either to rehabilitate or replace the bridge is being developed by both NYSDOT and the Vermont Agency of Transportation under an agreement between the states.
Addison County employers will meet on Wednesday, October 21, from 1 to 3 pm, at the American Legion in Middlebury to discuss the closure of the Crown Point Bridge closure. NYSDOT representatives are also scheduled to discuss the bridge with the community Monday. At the Wednesday meeting, which is being coordinated by the Addison County Chamber of Commerce, local business and government leaders will look at immediate and longer term impacts and potential solutions.
Alternate routes include the Fort Ticonderoga Ferry www.middlebury.net/tiferry, driving down Rte 22A to Route 4 and crossing at Whitehall, NY, or going north to use one of the Lake Champlain Ferry services www.ferries.com.
Workers inspect the Champlain Bridge last July. Photo by Ed Barna.