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  • The closed Champlain Bridge, which links Crown Point, N.Y., and Addison, Vt. (P-R File Photo)

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December 21, 2009

Ti ferry struggles with ice as bridge demolition nears

By LOHR McKINSTRY

TICONDEROGA — The Ticonderoga Ferry resumed running Sunday but ran into problems Monday as its channel began to ice over.

Gary Cooke of Port Henry said he went to Ticonderoga to take the ferry to Shoreham, Vt.

“The ferry was accumulating ice in front of it. They weren’t able to dock. They sat there for two hours with cars that couldn’t get off.”

A boat in the channel trying to break up the ice is operated by Dock Doctor of Vermont, the contractor hired by the ferry to keep the passage open.

An air-bubbler system installed by Dock Doctor is keeping the ferry channel from freezing between the two shores, but ice has been drifting into the channel.

“They’re having real problems,” Cooke said.



ATTACKING THE ICE

The Ticonderoga Ferry was closed last Thursday through Saturday because of icing.

Robin Knapp of Crown Point said he’s suggested to the Dock Doctor that they make their bubbler system more efficient.

“I sent them all the correct information. I did the research.”

The U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory has developed techniques that may be used to eliminate or mitigate some of the ice problems, he said.

The Ticonderoga Ferry has agreed to try to operate until the new, 24-hour Crown Point Ferry can begin operation. Contractors are working around the clock to get the Crown Point Ferry infrastructure in place.



WATCHING DEMOLITION

On Monday, the New York State Department of Transportation announced two public viewing areas to see the demolition of the Champlain Bridge.

The main area will be at the Port Henry Public Boat Launch Site, located off Main Street (Route 9N/22).

That site is also home to the Village Pier, which juts into the lake near the Port Henry Village Campground.

A limited number of chemical toilets will be available at the Boat Launch Site.

The other site is at the Bulwagga Bay Town Campground, but that has no open facilities.

Access to the public viewing sites will be available beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

On the Vermont side, Route 125 in Addison, Vt., is the designated viewing area.



SAFETY ZONE

The demolition contractor, Advanced Explosives Demolition of Idaho, has established safety protocols for the public, DOT said.

A safety zone of 1,000 feet has been set for land access around the bridge, and the Federal Aviation Association has established a 2,000-foot no-fly zone.

The U.S. Coast Guard from Burlington will be on the lake to enforce a water-safety zone of 1,000 feet on either side of the bridge.

The safety zone is in effect from now until Thursday.



COLD CONCERNS

DOT said those wanting to view the bridge demolition in person should plan for bitterly cold temperatures and should dress warmly. People with health conditions prohibiting them from being exposed to extreme cold should not plan to go.

There may also be heavy traffic in the area of the Port Henry Boat Launch Wednesday morning. Police will direct traffic the morning of demolition, and parking is very limited at the site. Variable-message signs will update drivers regarding parking.



ROAD CLOSURES

Several road closures include Bridge Road (Route 185) closing to traffic at 7 p.m. Tuesday east of Lake Road (County Route 48). Local residents with identification will be allowed past the closure point. The closure will remain until 5 p.m. Wednesday.

All of Bridge Road from Route 9N/22 and Lake Road from Burdick Road to Bridge Road will close at 5 a.m. Wednesday.

A live broadcast of the bridge demolition will be available on the Internet, courtesy of DOT.

The span connecting Crown Point and Addison, Vt., was closed Oct. 16 when engineers deemed it wasn’t safe because of severe cracks and erosion to its concrete piers. It was later classified irreparable and is being demolished to make way for a new span.



E-mail Lohr McKinstry at:

lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com

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