WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Citizens Bring Champlain Bridge Concerns to Montpelier
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Montpelier, Vermont - November 17, 2009
"We still have a crisis on all levels," said Lorraine Franklin of the Lake Champlain Bridge Coalition.
From the Champlain Bridge to the Statehouse, New Yorkers and Vermonters rallied-- demanding a way across the lake.
"We're getting a lot of lip service but we're not seeing a lot of progress," Franklin said. "We want to see progress."
The group just formed the Lake Champlain Bridge Coalition. Made up of business owners, farmers and residents, they say the bridge between the two states is key for the economy and safety of the region.
Inspectors closed the bridge October 16 after it was deemed unsafe.
"My doctors are all in Vermont," said Pat Hogan of Schroon Lake, N.Y.
"We're having it rough getting our crops back home," farmer Robert Smith said.
"Now it's affecting all of our businesses-- both on the Vermont and New York side," said Darwin Pratt of Pratt's General Store. "I think it's time we got something going."
Beyond their immediate concerns the group wonders why problems weren't caught sooner. Even though New York maintains and inspects the bridge, they say Vermont should have been watching.
"The bridge has been rusting and falling down for 20 years," said Janet Denney of Moriah, N.Y. "Did you not see it?"
"We knew the bridge was aging. We had a plan in place to put a new bridge up or replace the old one and the deterioration of concrete took place much faster than anyone who's ever watched this type of thing has ever seen," explained John Zicconi of the Vt. Transportation Agency.
A permanent bridge could take two years to build and cost $67 million. The Bridge Coalition says years of underfunding bridge repairs led to the closure and Vermont lawmakers agree.
"We have to take lessons from what happened here," said Rep. Shap Smith, D-Vt. House Speaker.
While there is no timeline for when work will begin on a new permanent bridge, transportation officials said Tuesday that work could begin this week on a ferry crossing to go near the bridge that would run year-round.
"My hope is that this is the week that turns the corner," Zicconi said.
The goal is to get the new ferry running before the lake freezes.
"I think we are going to be let's wait and see what happens until the ferry is operational and until the first cars go over that bridge we are not going to rest," Franklin said.
...Hoping speaking out will spur action.
Until the new ferry service starts by the bridge, the Ticonderoga Ferry will provide free service through December. It will operate seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Kristin Carlson - WCAX News
Related Stories:
Champlain Bridge Replacement Will Cost $67 Million
Champlain Bridge Will be Demolished
Ferry Companies Offer Free Transit Across Lake as Bridge Remains Closed
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