WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Champlain Bridge Replacement Will Cost $67 Million

Champlain Bridge Replacement Will Cost $67 Million

West Addison, Vermont - November 12, 2009

A replacement for the Champlain Bridge will cost $67 million and take about two years to build.

Transportation officials announced this week that the 80-year-old bridge will be torn down and replaced. Engineers say the bridge is in such bad shape, it is too costly and too dangerous to repair. A complete reconstruction of the bridge might have given it another 50 years of life, but that would have taken longer and cost more than building a new bridge.

In the meantime officials are trying to set up a ferry near the old bridge.

"I mean the two-year time frame is better then what they were originally quoting which was 2013, so if it's going to be by the end of 2011 that's good-- but let's hope it ends on schedule, you know," said Lisa Cloutier of The Bridge Restaurant.

Asked if she was concerned it won't happen on schedule, Cloutier answered, "Yes, with the past history-- their past track record-- yes, I really wonder whether it will all happen."

Community members say the bridge should have been fixed sooner and they plan to talk to Vermont lawmakers on Tuesday to tell them to fully fund bridge projects.

Kristin Carlson - WCAX News

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