Lake Champlain Bridge
The bridge, as seen in December 2021
Coordinates44°01′57″N 73°25′24″W / 44.03250°N 73.42333°W / 44.03250; -73.42333
CarriesTwo lanes of NY 185 and VT 17
CrossesLake Champlain
LocaleCrown Point, New York and Chimney Point, Vermont
Maintained byNYSDOT and VTrans
Characteristics
DesignModified network tied arch
Total length2,200 ft (670 m)[1]
Longest span480 ft (150 m) (clear span)
402 ft (123 m) (tied arch span)[1]
History
OpenedNovember 7, 2011
Location

The Lake Champlain Bridge is a vehicular bridge traversing Lake Champlain between Crown Point, New York and Chimney Point, Vermont. It replaced an older bridge that was demolished in 2009. The bridge was designed and constructed during an aggressive two-year schedule to minimize the social and economic impact of the original bridge's demolition.[2] It is the only fixed-link crossing of Lake Champlain/Champlain canal between US 4 in Whitehall, 42 miles (68 km) to the south and US 2 at Rouses Point, 85 miles (137 km) to the north.

The main arch span was prefabricated off-site in Port Henry, floated by barge to the already-constructed approach spans, and then lifted into place on August 26, 2011.[2] The completed bridge was originally scheduled to open on October 9, 2011, but was delayed due to construction delays from underwater debris and record flooding.[3]

The bridge opened to the public on Monday, November 7, 2011, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony.[4]

Description

After state inspectors determined that the previous Champlain Bridge was beyond repair in 2009, the states of New York and Vermont agreed to replace it.[5] The new bridge employs a modified network tied arch design.[6][7] Flatiron Constructors of Broomfield, Colorado, the U.S. subsidiary of the German firm, Hochtief AG, won the contract for the new bridge, and groundbreaking took place on June 11, 2010.[8] The bridge construction contract was for $69.6 million. It was completed six weeks ahead of schedule, but at a cost of $78.29 million.[4][9]

A panorama of the replacement bridge under construction
A panorama of the replacement bridge under construction. The main arch span was brought in by barge and raised between the two approach spans shown above.

References

  1. 1 2 Lake Champlain Bridge Project – Construction, New York State Department of Transportation, retrieved August 12, 2014
  2. 1 2 Zoli, Theodore, P.E. "A Bridge by the People, for the People", Civil Engineering Magazine, June 2012. The American Society of Civil Engineers.
  3. ↑ "Lake Champlain Bridge opening celebration to be delayed". Your News Now. August 17, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  4. 1 2 Waldman, Scott (November 3, 2011). "Lake Champlain Bridge set to open". Times Union.
  5. ↑ Karlin, Rick (November 9, 2009). "Champlain Bridge can't be fixed, will be rebuilt". Times Union. Albany, New York. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
  6. ↑ Design rendering
  7. ↑ "New York Governor Paterson and Vermont Governor Douglas announce design for the new Lake Champlain bridge" (Press release). Governor of New York. January 14, 2010. Archived from the original on March 4, 2010. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Flatiron secures $70M contract to construct new Lake Champlain Bridge project". www.flatironcorp.com. Flatiron Construction Corp. June 8, 2010. Archived from the original on October 27, 2010. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  9. ↑ Lake Champlain Bridge Project, New York State Department of Transportation, retrieved August 12, 2014
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