MAY 5, 2021 —
Today I got behind the mic, and talked about a project I’ve been working on since last July in my home town (Keeseville). In this week’s episode of the MrpTech Podcast, I discuss historic bridges and why they are worth saving. Take a listen to the audio here:
https://podnutz.com/mrp195/
MAY 2, 2021 —
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. (10 scores 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
-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.
-This bridge is well known by bridge enthusiasts all across the country.
-The Front St intersection at the Arch Bridge and State Bridge has been overwhelmed since this bridge closed. There have been many accidents at the Pleasant St intersection. This would allow for better traffic flow in Keeseville.
-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
-Support from both Clinton and Essex County Residents
-Support from Historical Societies all across upstate NY
-Support from Civil Engineers all across the Country
Pick up your yard signs at the Keeseville Free Library, Mountain Valley Credit Union, Arnold’s, Loreman’s and the Town Offices. Save our Historic Bridges.
APR 22, 2021 —
Watch the WCAX News story here:
Thank you WCAX for running the story on our bridges tonight. I’d like to clarify a couple of things that were stated. I mean these in the most positive ways, and it’s not meant to take anything away from what was said by either county.
-Our county officials have grant writing teams that can research grants to cover the cost of these bridges. They have the experience, but need to be directed by the County to do research. Clinton County has applied for two grants recently (Swing Bridge and Old State Road Bridge) – Thank you!
-$3 Trillion in Federal Infrastructure money, $10 Billion in Federal Infrastructure money made available, $310 Billion in NYS Infrastructure money made available, $96 Million in Bridge NY funds made available, CHIPS money that each county could be used, but we have been asked not to use that. Clinton County received $1 Million in extra CHIPS money for this year. DOT money could be made available if the right conditions were met. Somewhere in all of that, has to be a way to fund our bridges. But I’m asked to find ‘creative means’ to cover the cost of the bridges.
– Shaun Gilliland was speaking about the plans to put vehicles over the bridges and what the weight limits would be…and he hadn’t ‘seen plans’. With all due respect, he was informed by our Town Supervisor (and invited by me) of a meeting we had with Town Board Members, Officials and Highway Departments with an Engineer who laid out a plan on how to restore the Upper Bridge. That engineer was not selling his business but providing information on a solution. Shaun did not attend that meeting.
-“Over $2 Million per bridge to make the repairs necessary” is not the cost of the restoring bridges. The Old State Bridge was far less than that. The Swing bridge wasn’t anywhere close to that cost. Each county has only one closed bridge to account for. Grants cover 80% and the rest is split 50/50 between the counties….(10% each county) costing taxpayers nearly nothing. We have even discussed ways of making this remaining cost less.
-We also had an engineer quote the Upper Bridge at 1-1.65 Million barring any long drawn out NYS processes.
-Let’s work together to find a solution, rather than finding ways that we can’t make it happen.
