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RAY BROOK — Working in concert with other state agencies, the Adirondack Park Agency approved temporary ferry service beside the closed Champlain Bridge.
APA spokesman Keith McKeever said in a statement Friday that the temporary DOT project involves building an access road and ferry dock to "establish a vital temporary transportation route across Lake Champlain" while a new bridge is designed and built.
DOT filed notification of the project to APA just last week.
READY TO START
Under emergency declaration, the project does not require formal approval by APA commissioners.
"It definitely clears the way for DOT to start work on this project," McKeever said. "We've got numerous staff working on it; people are putting in double time to get this done."
Due to extraordinary circumstances, the letter is serving as the APA's advice, clearing APA regulatory requirements, he said.
APA made a site visit Nov. 5 and determined no deep-water wetlands were located in the proposed project site.
'HATS OFF'
Moriah Town Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava was elated by quick APA response.
"I think, on this issue here, hats off to the APA. That was a very quick turnaround. I think they realized the dire straits the bridge closure has put people in. I'm glad to see the DOT has a green light to go ahead and get people's life back to somewhat of a normal state."
The fast-track environmental review process came at the request of Gov. David A. Paterson.
"I have directed all involved state agencies to work diligently to address the disruptions caused by the closure of the Lake Champlain Bridge," he said in a statement.
"It is critical that temporary, year-round ferry service is established near the bridge so that life in this corridor can return to normal as quickly as possible for the commuters, businesses and emergency-service vehicles that rely on this crossing each day."
"The APA fully understands the significant hardship facing those who rely on the Lake Champlain Bridge," APA Executive Director Terry Martino said in a news release.
"We are working in partnership with all involved federal, state and local agencies to make certain Gov. Paterson's goal to establish a temporary ferry service quickly — and in an area that best serves the communities affected — is realized."
Acting DOT Commissioner Stanley Gee said the process was fast-tracked to relieve hardship created by emergency bridge closure on Oct. 16.
New York DOT deemed piers holding up the bridge, made with unreinforced concrete in 1929, are dangerously close to collapse.
State inspections were done underwater every five years.
"While safety is first, we are very aware that closure has disrupted the lives of those who depended on the bridge in their daily lives," Gee said.
E-mail Kim Smith Dedam at: kdedam@pressrepublican.com
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