Vermont-New York Bridge Will Not Reopen

Officials in Vermont and New York have decided the Crown Point Bridge connecting the two states at the southern tip of Lake Champlain is too badly deteriorated to repair.

The two states closed the 80-year-old bridge Oct. 16 after engineers said cracks in its piers were so severe it could collapse.

The announcement the bridge will not reopen came Nov. 9 from New York Gov. David Paterson (D) and Vermont Gov. James Douglas (R). The span carries 3,400 cars and trucks a day, New York transportation officials said.

The states are trying to establish a ferry service to carry both cars and trucks as large as 40 tons. Such ferries operate further north on the lake.

The ferry project is a race against winter, however, because docks must be built before ice sets in. Also, the docks would be on some of the most historic land in the United States — British and French forts and settlements were located there — so special permits will be needed.

By Michele Fuetsch
Staff Reporter