CROWN POINT — The Colorado firm that recently won the contract to build a new Champlain Bridge plans to hire more than 100 local workers.
The core staff from Flatiron Constructors of Lafayette, Colo., began arriving this week, and hiring will begin as soon as equipment arrives and offices are set up.
Flatiron was the low bidder on the project at $69.6 million and will have 12 to 15 members of its top staff on site to oversee the project.
STARTING SOON
New York State Department of Transportation spokeswoman Carol Breen said construction will get under way almost at once.
"Flatiron will bring about a dozen core employees with them and hire the rest, approximately 100 workers."
The groundbreaking for the new bridge is expected to be held within the next few days, with New York Gov. David Paterson and Vermont Gov. James Douglas both in attendance.
"We haven't scheduled a groundbreaking (date) for the project yet," Breen said.
LOCAL RENTALS
Flatiron is setting up field offices and staging areas on both sides of the lake, she said.
The firm will be renting equipment for the project from area suppliers and bringing in the pile-driving machine for the bridge supports from Massachusetts.
PIECE BY PIECE
The bridge will be assembled in sections that will be floated into place as the project progresses. The center arch section is to be built near the Van Slooten Harbour Marina in Port Henry.
Flatiron will also hire local subcontractors to do segments of the construction that require special expertise.
The bridge will use a modified network-tied-arch design and is slated to be finished by September 2011.
The temporary ferry near the bridge will continue to run 24 hours a day, free of charge, until the bridge is open.
The bridge connecting Crown Point and Addison, Vt., was closed Oct. 16, 2009, due to deep structural cracks. It was demolished Dec. 28 using controlled explosives.
TOURS AND COFFEE
Lake Champlain Bridge Coalition, the local grassroots group that supported construction of a new bridge, is planning a reception to greet the Flatiron employees and their families who will be living here for the duration of the project.
Flatiron is very community-oriented, DOT Regional Engineer John Grady said, and will hold regular coffee hours and guided tours at the bridge site to discuss the project with residents and show them what is taking place.
UNDERWATER WORK
Most of the work this year will be underwater, Grady said.
"This summer's not going to be exciting bridge work. We're going to be putting deep foundations in the water. We're going to be putting 6-foot shafts down to rock.
"You'll see a lot of equipment, a lot of people, but the work will be underwater."
Grady said Flatiron will build approach spans in late winter or early spring 2011, followed by approach decks, arches and the main section.
E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com
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