We've just received word from VTrans and NYSDOT that the Fort Ti Ferry has closed due to icing conditions. It is unknown if it will be able to open again. VTrans, ACTR, and Essex County Transportation are implementing an emergency plan to ensure employees currently at work will get back to their cars at FortTi at the end of the work day. Other plans will be implemented to provide alternative transportation for commuters until the "permanent" ferry south of bridge is up and running in a few weeks.
Once the arrangements for today's transportation alternatives and beyond are confirmed, they will be posted on our website at: www.crownpointbridgeupdates.com. Please notify any affected employees
The Crown Point bridge crisis has greatly increased the demand for ACTR’s Volunteer Drivers.Since the bridge was closed, the need for rides has skyrocketed.If you would like to help your Vermont and New York neighbors during this difficult time, please call Serena at 388-7044.Drivers are fully trained and reimbursed 54¢ per mile. Thank you!
New York and Vermont Transportation Agencies to Hold Public Meetings Regarding Lake ChamplainBridge
MONTPELIER – New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee and Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) Secretary David Dill today announced that, in order to expedite progress on demolishing the current Lake Champlain Bridge and designing its replacement, the states will hold a series of meetings to present plans and options to the public throughout the day on Saturday, December 12, at LaChute Hall, 132 Montcalm Street, in Ticonderoga, New York.
"The purpose of these meetings is to receive feedback from the public regarding design plans for the replacement bridge at Crown Point as well as ideas for commemorating the historic bridge that will soon be demolished," said Acting Commissioner Gee. "We want to assure that the new bridge is built as quickly as possible, and that it is aesthetically compatible within the context of the community and the environment. This is an inclusive process, and we will seriously consider the input received from those who live in the area and depend on the connection between Vermont and New YorkState. We will continue to work in close collaboration with the community, residents, local government and other agencies, as we have been doing, to implement transportation options as a new bridge is put in place."
"We encourage as many people as possible to join us at these public forums," VTrans Secretary Dill added. "We are keenly aware of how important this new bridge will be to everyone who lives anywhere near the lake crossing. We value everyone's opinion, and we look forward to the public's guidance in helping us choose a bridge design that we can all be proud of."
Three identical public meetings, each including a brief formal presentation followed by time for general questions and answers and time for the public to view displays will be held on Saturday, December 12th at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. The purpose of these "open house" sessions is to provide an opportunity to receive further input from interested parties.
During the presentations, project team members will review the design criteria for the new bridge and the feasible bridge types available for consideration. Attendees will be asked for input regarding features that should be included in the design, such as sidewalks, bicycle lanes, lighting and materials used, as well as the style of the new bridge. Options for commemorating the historic bridge will also be presented and discussed. The meeting will also address demolition plans for the existing bridge including when and how it is likely to occur. Staff from both NYSDOT and VTrans will be available following the formal portion of each meeting to discuss this information.
In addition to being open to the general public, "consulting parties" as defined under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act who are interested in participating in the Lake Champlain Bridge replacement project are invited to attend the public meeting and to submit a written request to become a consulting party to both NYSDOT and VTrans at R01-LakeChamplainBridge@dot.state.ny.us. Consulting parties should include information about their experience and a statement explaining why they believe their participation would contribute to a consideration of the project's effects on historic properties.
The Lake ChamplainBridge was closed for safety reasons on October 16 after it was discovered that piers supporting the bridge were dangerously deteriorated. The bridge provided a vital link for employment, commerce and medical care between Crown Point, New York, and Addison, Vermont.
If the meeting needs to be postponed due to inclement weather, an announcement will be posted online at https://www.nysdot.gov/lakechamplainbridge and will be emailed to those who have signed up for updates on the Lake Champlain Bridge. If this becomes the case, the meeting would be held on Sunday, December 13, at the same time and place.
In addition to receiving feedback from those who attend the public meetings, comments may be sent to NYSDOT via the project e-mail account at R01-LakeChamplainBridge@dot.state.ny.us.
John Zicconi
VTrans Director of Planning, Outreach and Community Affairs
Telephone: 802.828.1647 ¨ Fax: 802.828.3522
A toll-free hotline number for information about the bridge closure - 1-888-769-7243 - which was established in October will remain open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those calling from the 518 area code may dial 518-485-1159. The New YorkState outreach center is located in the Lake ChamplainVisitorsCenter at 814 Bridge Rd. in Crown Point.
Further, to assure that the public is continually informed, regular e-mail updates are being sent to residents of both states who have signed up to receive them. These updates can be accessed by visiting the respective state transportation agency websites at www.lcbclosure.org in New York, and www.aot.state.vt.us in Vermont. The full HNTB report will be available at www.nysdot.gov and www.aot.state.vt.us later this week.Most Commuters Still Face Long Commutes; Out-of-Pocket Expenses Eased With Free Bus and Ferry Services
Middlebury, Vermont – October 29, 2009 – Commuters and residents traveling between AddisonCounty and New York now have several options for getting to and from their workplace or residence. All public transportation services are now free, minimizing the financial impact for many workers and employers. However, long travel times still exist for many. Below is a summary of the services currently in operation. More details and links to schedules are available at the website the Addison County Chamber of Commerce is maintaining: www.crownpointbridgeupdates.com
FERRY SERVICES
FortTiconderoga Ferry: Connecting Shoreham, VT and Ticonderoga, NY
Free service as of 10/27/09
Extended hours from 6 am to 8 pm
Lake Champlain Ferry: Connecting Charlotte, VT and Essex, NY
Free service as of 10/27/09
Departures every 30 minutes
Essex County (NY) Transportation is providing free bus transportation to/from Crown Point, FortHenry, Westport and the Essex Ferry dock
CCTA (Chittenden County Transportation Authority) is providing bus transportation to/from Charlotte dock to Shelburne and Fletcher Allen Healthcare in Burlington
Commuters needing to travel south of Charlotte should contact ACTR (Addison County Transit Resources)
BasinHarbor Ferry: Connecting BasinHarbor, Vergennes, VT and Westport, NY
Free services as of 10/29/09
Pedestrian ferry only
Three AM and three PM crossings
Essex County (NY) Transportation is providing free bus transportation to/from Essex Fairgrounds and Westport Marina
ACTR is providing free bus transportation from BasinHarbor to businesses in Vergennes—Country Home Products, Northlands Job Corps and Goodrich
BUS SERVICES
Adirondack Trailway’s Express Bus Service: Connecting Port Henry, Ticonderoga to Middlebury and Vergennes (via Whitehall)
Free
Approximate 2 hour trip
Makes stops at MiddleburyCollege, Porter Medical, Goodrich
ACTR:
ACTR is offering a Guaranteed Ride Home in the event of a personal emergency during business hours for commuters without cars (i.e., who came via foot ferry, bus or carpool). ACTR will arrange for a volunteer driver or taxi to take a commuter to where they need to go. Eligible Guaranteed Ride Home requests include, but are not limited to:
Personal or family emergency
Sudden illness
Unexpected emergency overtime
CARPOOLING/RIDESHARING SERVICES
Vermont:
VTrans has a toll-free number and website to help commuters connect for carpooling purposes.
The phone numbers are 1-800-685-7433 (RIDE) or 1-802-828-6521.
At the moment, there is a person processing registrants looking to make carpool connections. Potential carpool matches are sent to registrants by email and/or regular mail (as preferred).Within a week, an automated software system is expected to go live, which should help expand the capabilities of the system.
New York:
EssexCounty offers a Ride Share program which is available to residents of both New York and Vermont.
The Addison County Chamber of Commerce (ACCOC) is an association of individuals representing business interest, working together to promote commercial business in AddisonCounty. The Chamber can be found on the Web at www.addisoncounty.com.
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