Subject: Lake Champlain Bridge Update - 12/3/09
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 2009 18:57:08 -0500
From: R01-LakeChamplainBridge R01-LakeChamplainBridge
To: <15A216@dfa.state.ny.us>,

Thank you for sharing your contact information with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) so we can be in touch about the Lake Champlain Bridge closure. The following is an update regarding the latest information on the Bridge.

NYSDOT Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee and Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) Secretary David Dill have announced that, in order to expedite progress on demolishing the current Lake Champlain Bridge and designing its replacement, the states will hold a series of meetings to present plans and options to the public throughout the day on Saturday, December 12, at LaChute Hall, 132 Montcalm Street, in Ticonderoga, New York.
The purpose of these meetings is to receive feedback from the public regarding design plans for the replacement bridge at Crown Point as well as ideas for commemorating the historic bridge that will soon be demolished. The goal is to assure that the new bridge is built as quickly as possible, and that it is aesthetically compatible within the context of the community and the environment.
Three identical public meetings, each including a brief formal presentation followed by time for general questions and answers and time for the public to view displays will be held on Saturday, December 12th at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. The purpose of these ?open house? sessions is to provide an opportunity to receive further input from interested parties.
During the presentations, project team members will review the design criteria for the new bridge and the feasible bridge types available for consideration. Attendees will be asked for input regarding features that should be included in the design, such as sidewalks, bicycle lanes, lighting and materials used, as well as the style of the new bridge. Options for commemorating the historic bridge will also be presented and discussed. The meeting will also address demolition plans for the existing bridge including when and how it is likely to occur. Staff from both NYSDOT and VTrans will be available following the formal portion of each meeting to discuss this information.

In addition to being open to the general public, ?consulting parties? as defined under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act who are interested in participating in the Lake Champlain Bridge replacement project are invited to attend the public meeting and to submit a written request to become a consulting party to both NYSDOT and VTrans at R01-LakeChamplainBridge@dot.state.ny.us. Interested parties should include information about their experience and a statement explaining why they believe their participation would contribute to a consideration of the project's effects on historic properties.

The Lake Champlain Bridge was closed for safety reasons on October 16 after it was discovered that piers supporting the bridge were dangerously deteriorated. The bridge provided a vital link for employment, commerce and medical care between Crown Point, New York, and Addison, Vermont.

If the meeting needs to be postponed due to inclement weather, an announcement will be posted online at https://www.nysdot.gov/lakechamplainbridge and will be emailed to those who have signed up for updates on the Lake Champlain Bridge. If this becomes the case, the meeting would be held on Sunday, December 13, at the same time and place.
This is an inclusive process, and serious consideration will be given to the input received from those who live in the area and depend on the connection between Vermont and New York State.
In addition to receiving feedback from those who attend the public meetings, comments may be sent to NYSDOT via the project e-mail account at R01-LakeChamplainBridge@dot.state.ny.us.
Again, we thank you for your interest in the Lake Champlain Bridge project. Please don?t hesitate to contact us at the access points listed above should you have additional questions.