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November 5, 2009

Progress made on new ferry around Champlain Bridge

<img src="/homepage/images_image_276103054" alt="&#149;">&nbsp;&nbsp;Permits applied for to establish free service while states consider span

By LOHR McKINSTRY

CROWN POINT — The states of New York and Vermont are applying for permits to put in a temporary ferry crossing at the Champlain Bridge.

The bridge was closed Oct. 16 after an underwater inspection discovered significant concrete erosion of the bridge's piers.

John Zicconi, director of planning for the Vermont Agency of Transportation, said he is encouraged about the work under way to establish a free, 24-hour temporary ferry about 1,000 feet south of the bridge.

"Preliminary information shows this location is likely possible, so long as we can get all the required permits. New York is working on their permits, which hopefully will come about the same time as ours."

SITE MARKED
"The location is in the general vicinity of the Bridge Restaurant on Route 17," Zicconi said.

He said the ground is staked out with flags and other markings.

"As we work with the various permit agencies, both state and federal, ranging from environmental to historic to archeological, engineers are working on the dock and road design.

"The plan on the Vermont side is to establish a road down the embankment in the area of the Bridge Restaurant on land owned by the (Vermont) Department of Forest and Parks."

He said the ferry operation may involve a temporary bridge leading to floating barges that vehicles will drive on to get out far enough into the lake to board the ferry.

"Lake Champlain Transportation is part of the team, and they are fully engaged in discussions with our engineers so that we have a full understanding of what their boats need to operate."

RALLY IN ALBANY
Meanwhile, bridge advocate Rich Couch of the Albany-based Crisis Program said he's planning to bus concerned citizens from the Ticonderoga area to the State Capitol for a rally in support of the bridge.

"The closing of the Crown Point (Champlain) bridge has turned lives upside down. I'm asking the state to help us prevent other closings in other areas. There are over 100 bridges statewide that are rated the same or worse than the Crown Point bridge at its last inspection. Lawmakers in Albany seem to have forgotten that safe roads and bridges are important."

The rally by local citizens is intended to remind legislators, he said, and to try to get more money allocated for repairs.

The bus will leave the Ticonderoga Walmart parking lot for Albany around 8 a.m. Tuesday, he said. Advance registration is necessary by calling 860-2287.

BRIDGE REPORT
The final report on the bridge's condition is being drafted now, Zicconi said.

"As for the closed bridge, divers were in the water over the weekend continuing their evaluation. We hope to have a draft report detailing the condition of its piers within the next week or two."

The area of Lake Champlain between Old Ferry Road in Crown Point and Crown Point Road in Addison, Vt., is now being considered for a temporary bridge. A ferry previously operated in that area, and the roads line up across the lake.

Work crews have been collecting soil data, but ideal rock conditions to support a bridge foundation have not been found as deep as 200 feet, so further analysis is necessary, State Department of Transportation officials said.

The independent Ticonderoga Ferry is still operating daily but was out of service for awhile Monday evening with a fuel-pump problem. The ferry would normally have closed at the end of October, but the ferry operator recently agreed to stay in operation until the weather forces it to stop running.

The Ticonderoga Ferry is an open ferry, Essex County Emergency Services Director Donald Jaquish said, and can't operate during any weather conditions that would cause ice on the deck or entrances.

E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com

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