Save Keeseville's Historic Bridges

Review of DPW Bridge Asset / Management Plan

By matt | June 14, 2021 | Comments 0 Comment

Dear Essex County Board of Supervisors,

I’m requesting that you all take just a bit of time and watch this video in regards to the Asset Management Plan for the Essex County Bridges presented on 5/17. In this video It is not my intention of comparing bridges, or to say that these bridges do not need attention, but to turn the topic of conversation towards our Upper Bridge in Keeseville and discuss priorities. I tried to keep this video as pleasant and informative as I could. I do understand the criteria involved towards putting these bridges on this plan.

The video can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD15-4L0jbg

I’d also like to inform the Board of Supervisors that on August 9th 2020, and May 24th 2021 I submitted FOIL requests to Essex County in regards to files pertaining to our historic bridges. Both times I received a letter from Mr. Manning confirming that my request was received and that I would be notified within 21 days about the findings. I received no further communications either time. I have received no documents from my FOIL request. Thank you for watching this video.

Call To Action: Essex County Board of Supervisors

By matt | June 9, 2021 | Comments 0 Comment

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.

Clarification on Upper Bridge Inspection

By matt | June 8, 2021 | Comments 0 Comment

Hi Everyone, Here is an update on the Bridge Inspection conversation that happened Yesterday. This is directly from Jim Dougan to clarify:

Hi All,
To provide some clarification of what was discussed when Supervisor Barber visited with some of my staff yesterday. The Old Iron Bridge (AKA as Mill Hill Bridge, or River Street Bridge, or Upper Bridge), although currently closed, is still on the list of bridges inspected as part of NYSDOT’s bridge inspection program. The NYSDOT bridge inspection program has all bridges owned by municipalities inspected on a Biennial (every two years) basis, unless the bridge has a current flag which would have the inspection take place annually. In the case of closed bridges, the inspection schedule may vary from the biennial or annual schedule, but generally will not be more than 3 years in between inspections. The staff that met with Supervisor Barber yesterday were discussing the NYSDOT bridge inspection program and explained to Supervisor Barber though they could not tell him the exact date an inspection would take place, they were sure it was still on NYSDOT’s bridge inspection list. The old Iron Bridge is scheduled for a full inspection in 2022 as part of the NYSDOT bridge inspection program.
I hope this provides a little clarification to all interested parties.
Thank you,
Jim