AUG 15, 2020 — 

Here is my next Proposal on how to save the bridges based off the information I’ve received this week:

We have two closed bridges here. The Upper Bridge is owned by Essex County. The Chasm Bridge is owned by Clinton County. Each County is responsible for 50% maintenance of the bridges.

Either way you look at this, In actuality Essex County has one bridge to fix, and Clinton County has one bridge to fix. We need to change the dialog from “We don’t have any money to do it” to “Lets find a way to make this happen, and find the money to do it”. The People of Keeseville and the surrounding area as well as tourists from all over the world love these bridges.

The following message is from Derek Rhode the Historic Site Restoration Coordinator:

“We did a brief check on this bridge and we would certainly suggest that they remain and be properly maintained.”
~Derek Rohde
New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

The Counties must go through his office if Federal or state funding is used to remove them. Their suggestion is that the bridges be renovated and reopened and not demolished.

My suggestion is that the Counties talk, and figure out a way to make it work. In the grand scheme of things one bridge extra for each county isn’t going to make or break the system. They are not of high priority for the Counties, but they are certainly high priority to Keeseville. Let’s work together and find a solution to these long neglected bridges.

The Swing Bridge study came this past week, and there are a few minor issues to address (Sink hole, dangerous trees), but overall is in good health with repairs/paint needed within five years.

The Swing Bridge is in good enough shape for now, and in a few years get together and make that happen after the work on the other bridges is done. Just do the minor work now, and come back to it in a few years after opening the other bridges.

When the bridges reopen, brochures should be made advertising the “Historic Bridges of Keeseville”. Pictures of all five of our Historic Bridges (Including Arch Bridge and Ausable Chasm State Bridge). On the back of the brochure we should list all of the businesses in town and surrounding area. Disperse these brochures across the highway system and state like all the other brochures for towns do, and this will draw visitors in.

This creates Tax revenue for the Counties, and towns, supports our Businesses and Tourism. It also gives the people something positive to look forward to in the current times. It puts people to work, and invites guests to our town. This will lead to more business, and more people moving into the area. This, in conjunction with all the other major efforts happening with Keeseville will revitalize Keeseville and start bringing the town back to what it used to be.

Traffic Issues in the downtown area and Old State road would be fixed.
And lastly as a reminder, these are just ideas being put forward because it does need to be done. They aren’t meant to be perfect ideas. We aren’t angry, we are protecting Keeseville’s Heritage. We want our bridges to be used for generations to come. Thank you Clinton and Essex Counties for considering these options. We need you! Our bridges need to stay, and should be acted upon soon.

Comments/Suggestions:

keesevillehistoricbridges@gmail.com