Category: Community

Why Save The Upper Bridge?

Why Save The Upper Bridge?

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.

Help us find Grants!

Help us find Grants!

APR 28, 2021 — 

Do you have experience with Grants? Help us find Grant funding to save our Historical Bridges! The more eyes we have watching potential grants the better! We’ve found a few small grants this week that could make a little progress, but we are hoping to find the big grant soon! Usually May-June is the grant cycle to watch out for. Thanks!

If you have any potential leads please email keesevillehistoricbridges(at)gmail.com

Signs going up! Thank You all for the Support!!

Signs going up! Thank You all for the Support!!

APR 24, 2021 — 

Every time I have been out today I see more and more signs going up. It’s really fun to see 8 months of research starting to pay off. Thank you all for the support!

Make sure to grab yours ASAP. It’s very important we send a message that we are a community that wants to work with the Counties to get this done. Hopefully we won’t have to keep the signs up for a long time, but it’s definitely important to send a strong message at the beginning. The more signs up the better! Pick up your signs today at Loreman’s, Peru Credit Union, Arnolds, Stewarts, and the town offices! Later this weekend they will also be available at Ridged Performance (Ausable St) and on Tuesday Keeseville Free Library!

Also,

Thank you to the Town of Ausable crew that cleaned up the area in front of the Old State Road on the Clinton County Side of the river! It looks great! Last year the community was able to clean in front of the Upper Bridge, and now both bridges are looking better and better. Let’s get those yard signs up and find a way to get this accomplished!