CALL TO ACTION- Essex County Board of Supervisors
Dear Board of Supervisors,
On June 3, 2008 the Essex County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the rehabilitation of the Upper Bridge (Mill Hill / Liberty St) in Keeseville.
Due to the politics of two counties being involved the project was never completed. You supported our bridge years ago, please help us again. Just because something got complicated, it doesn’t need to be abandoned.
Ever since the community of Keeseville has been waiting for our Historic Bridge to be reopened. There are major traffic issues, and our intersections are overwhelmed with traffic. There have been many accidents, including a few fatalities.
There is more Federal and State infrastructure available than in the previous ten years.
The RAISE federal grant deadline is July 12th. We need your support. There are other grants available as well. Those deadlines are fast approaching.
Upper Bridge DetailsAADT- 1900+ in 2008 (61.54% population increase since 2010)
Detour: 1.0 Mile (Dangerous Intersection is now overwhelmed with traffic from all directions due to closing of Upper Bridge/ location / geography of the river)
Features:-Registry of National Historic Places-Civil Engineering Landmark (very notable)-The Last remaining through truss bridge by Murray, Dougal, and Company in the World-Post Civil War Ear Landmark – (Built by civil war vets, and most likely built with repurposed civil war cannons – Pheonix Iron & Steel Company, Pheonixville PA)-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
https://keesevillehistoricbridges.com/grants/
-Three Non-Profit Organizations support us.-The Community wants to fund raise to help you.-The Towns want to offer funds to support the County
Ten years of no action is long enough. Please help us.
Other bridges in the area:-Do not have 2300+ signature petition-Are not Nationally Historic Bridges-Are not Civil Engineering Landmarks-Do not have the Annual Average Daily Traffic Count we do-Features of other bridges include farms / forests -Are not the LAST remaining bridge of their type.
This bridge was a priority in 2008. It was part of Essex County’s Bridge Management plan. It should still be today.
Our bridges are unique by themselves, BUT more importantly they are unique as a group of historic bridges. They tell a story of the experimental / developmental period in civil engineering.
Please do not continue to ignore Keeseville’s Heritage. For more info, please visit our website:
Multiple Engineers have confirmed that this bridge can be rehabilitated.
https://www.keesevillehistoricbridges.com/
Please help us, and without delay.