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Tuesday August 30, 2011 Edition
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Arch Arrives...Connection Made


photo by Phil Gridley

photo by Phil Gridley

photo by Phil Gridley

photo by Phil Gridley

photo by Phil Gridley

Tuesday August 30, 2011

The arch section of the new Lake Champlain bridge is in place much to the relief of NYSDOT, Vermont transportation officials, and residents on both sides of the Crown Point/Addison channel. Voice reporter and photographer Phil Gridley got a lake level view of the process from his boat and reported Friday morning that the arch had arrived at the construction site from its fabrication departure point in Port Henry. The bridge project is expected to proceed as planned until it is ready for traffic. October 9th  is the target date. The bridge contract was awarded on May 27th 2010 for $69.6 million dollars.  Work construction began in June 2010.  It has been non-stop weather permitting since then.    

As bridge watchers on both sides of the lake anticipate the arrival of the main arch span at Crown Point, a steady stream of cement trucks continue to deliver concrete to the construction site of the new Champlain Bridge.  Passengers on the two ferries running diagonally with the construction site are getting an excellent view of the project as it moves into its final stages.  As to how long those final stages will be has been the subject of considerable speculation of late.  A bridge opening celebration has been postponed until next May for lack of a firm finish date from NYSDOT officials.

Bridge officials have explained that the arch would be moved when conditions are the most favorable but were not going to give a time frame except in the broadest of terms as of August 22nd, 2011.  Sources have told the Voice that August 29th or shortly thereafter would be the time frame to watch.

The arch in place will be a huge accomplishment and will act as a sort of harbinger of good things to come for communities on both sides of the lake.  Above is a close-up photo showing a section of the cable support system of the arch. Updated information on the bridge is available at www.nysdot.gov/lakechamplainbridge/construction .The waterside areas of the construction site are under the jurisdiction of the US Coast Guard and they have issued a Local Notice to Mariners regarding navigation in the vicinity of the Lake Champlain Bridge construction site. 


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