Why Save the Upper Bridge?

2021 Bridgehunter Awards Winner- Bridge of the Year Award

2021 Bridgehunter Awards Winner- Endangered Truss Award

2021 Bridgehunter Awards Winner- Bridge Tour USA Award

~The Bridgehunter Chronicles (See Link Below)

2021 Bridgehunter Award Results

The Historic Bridges of Keeseville, New York

OWNED BY: ESSEX COUNTY (Keeseville, NY Ausable St / River St) Save Keeseville’s Upper Bridge

Built in 1878 –

Why should we save the Upper Bridge?

-Longest and Oldest Double Span Metal Pratt Truss Bridge in NY
(214ft long total, two spans at 107 Feet each)
-Only Remaining Through Truss bridge made by Murray, Dougal and Company left in the world. (very significant)
-This bridge has a historical significance rating of 9 out of 10. (Scores of 10 are only reserved for monumental bridges like the Brooklyn Bridge). Therefore it is the highest rating it can get!
-Built in 1878, this bridge was built during an experimental / developmental period in Civil Engineering.
-On the National Register of Historic Places
-National Civil Engineering Landmark

Civil War Era Landmark

-Iron from bridge was provided by the Phoenix Mill in PA. This company built 1200 civil war canons, and later melted them down for other uses. It’s likely that our bridge was partially built with some recycled civil war canon iron, and most certainly built by civil war veterans.

-Bridge enthusiasts from all over the country know of these bridges.

– Our downtown intersections are overwhelmed with traffic. (Route in Green is when Upper Bridge is Open)

There have been many accidents at the Pleasant St intersection. This would allow for better traffic flow in Keeseville.

Motorcyclist killed in Keeseville Intersection Accident

https://www.wcax.com/content/news/Motorcyclist-killed-in-Keeseville-512327221.html

-Having this bridge open will support new businesses close by.
-Promoting tourism in the area.
-Preservation of Local and National History
-Rehabilitation is cheaper than building a new bridge
-Massive Community Support
-Massive Local Business Support
-Town Boards both passed Resolutions in Support
-Massive Support from both Clinton and Essex County Residents
-Support from Historical Societies all across upstate NY
-Well Known by Civil Engineers all across the Country

The Upper Bridge is truly the last remaining ‘through truss’ bridge in the world that was built by Murray, Dougal and Company. This bridge is loved by our community. Many of our community members cherish the memories they have of crossing this bridge. It offers scenic vistas of the Ausable River. It provides a major connector link between the town of Ausable and the town of Chesterfield.

Having this bridge open would allow emergency traffic to get to I-87 much quicker than driving around and crossing the Arch Bridge.

The issue of this bridge has been ignored for over ten years. Our community is asking for our Elected Officials to hear our complaints and do something to resolve the situation. This bridge needs to be rehabilitated and reopened to traffic.