MAY 19, 2021 — 

Here is an Update for Essex County. Before I begin, I want to make sure everyone realizes that I’m posting information (good or bad news) in a way to encourage elected officials to work with us and not against us to achieve the goals of saving these historic bridges. Sometimes, I have to post the information as I see it, and I try often not to take the negatives personally, or to call out specific individuals. With that said, here is a brief update on the DPW Meeting from this past Monday.

-Chesterfield supervisor Clayton Barber personally invited all supervisors to view our bridges, and delivered the PDF file copies in person of truss bridge restorations in other areas.
-Mr. Barber also reminded the county that we Can Not Apply for grants, and that the county has expert grant writing teams.

Before Mr. Barber could speak however, the Essex County DPW presented a lengthy Bridge maintenance Plan of every bridge they intend to replace in the next ten years. (Of course, the Upper Bridge was not on here).

I’m waiting on the minutes to discuss exactly why this was brought up at the meeting, but currently we can only assume it was to say “These are more important projects than the Upper Bridge in Keeseville”.
After “very briefly” looking at the plan, most if not all were replacement plans and not restoration plans.

-None of the bridges in the plan seemed to be bridges that were on the National Historic Register of Places.
-None of the bridges in the plan seemed to be Civil Engineering Landmarks.
-None of the bridges in the plan seemed to have a petition of 2300 signatures to save them.

-Very few of the bridges had more traffic crossings than our Upper Bridge which has had a traffic study done on it. (Not to mention 61% increase in population in Keeseville since 2010)

This DPW plan (in my opinion) was shown to the County Supervisors to say something similar to “We have all of these other projects on our to do list, and we can’t do the Upper Bridge”. This is exactly the opposite of what we ask for. We want to work together to find solutions, not continuously find ways to say we can’t do it.

My Answer to that is in 2008 the PLAN was to restore the Upper Bridge. It was at the top of the list to restoring and reopening. Nothing was ever done. Why is it not still a priority now? I’m not sure how to send that message any stronger to the Supervisors.

Here is the Positive News. Some county supervisors are asking great questions. Some have mentioned they plan on viewing the bridges soon. Some are showing support for us.

Here is what we need- County Grant writing teams to find grants. DPW to be in FULL support of the project and not waste time or stall this project any further. County Supervisors to visit the bridges (With me) to hear about them and see for themselves how important this issue is. They are the elected officials for the county, and should be interested on the concerns of residents.

START writing letters, or sending emails. Let them hear your voice. 11 years of no action is long enough. Save our Historic Bridges. Let’s work together to find a solution. (In order to do that, we need support from the County).

It’s my full intention of showing that County officials, DPW, Highway department officials can be the hero here. Preserving History, Right a Wrong, and Make History.
Send your letters today. Look back a few posts and you will see the contact info for ALL county officials. THANK YOU.