By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-870159.mp3
Albany, NY – The sudden closure last month of a roughly half-mile bridge spanning Lake Champlain in Essex County prompted politicians, local officials and community members from Essex and Saratoga counties to rally support for citically important investments in New York State bridge and roadway projects. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas attended the rally and files this report.
A New York State Department of Transportation report issued in May lists 110 bridges with a safety rating the same or worse than the bridge in Crown Point now deemed too dangerous for traffic. New York and Vermont officials have announced that Crown Point is beyond repair. Senator Betty Little says the span will be torn down and replaced with a new bridge.
Crown Point, also known as the Lake Champlain Bridge has a safety rating of 3.38 out of 7.0. The Batchellerville Bridge, described by some as a "ticking time bomb" has a rating of 3.35. Senator Hugh Farley says both bridges are indicative of broader problems that need to be addressed through out the state. Last month the DOT announced its proposed five year 2010-through-2015 capital transportation program, which was almost immediately rejected by Governor David Paterson.
Lawmakers appearing at the rally agreed that despite the state's financial crisis, priorities such as addressing deteriorating infrastructure need to be moved to the top of the Governor's to-do list, in the interest of public safety.