Bridging concerns
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T.J. HOOKER
T.J. Hooker - thooker@poststar.com
Moriah Town Supervisor Tom Scozzafava, right speaks at a gathering of about 80 concerned citizens on the New York side of the Crown Point Bridge over Lake Champlain on Sunday, October 25, 2009.The gathering, which was organized to voice resident’s concerns, discuss what is being done to deal with the bridge’s closure and show community solidarity, was held in conjunction with a similar event on the Vermont side. The bridge, which was built in 1929, was closed indefinitely on October 16 because of safety concerns.
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CROWN POINT -- Beverly and Milt Tesar used to drive across the Lake Champlain Bridge nearly every day.
But since the bridge closed 10 days ago, the elderly couple hasn't been shopping or to see their doctors.
"If we don't do the backstroke, we'll probably have to go down to Ticonderoga," Beverly Tesar said while pointing at the narrow stretch of lake that separates Vermont from New York.
The couple have lived about two miles from the bridge since 1979, and on Sunday afternoon, they joined a crowd of some 80 people gathered just outside a wooden fence that separates many from their livelihoods.
Officials abruptly closed the 1929 bridge 10 days ago after finding problems with its foundation. Since then, residents on both sides who depend on it to get to work and run basic errands have had to turn to costly alternatives to reach their destinations.
"I know we're all very upset at this point," Moriah Supervisor Tom Scozzafava said, "but we all need to try and work together to find an immediate solution."
Scozzafava went over ideas to put a government-subsidized ferry next to the bridge, and Crown Point Supervisor Dale French spoke of ideas for free buses to take workers across state lines from Fort Henry and Ticonderoga to popular work places such as the hospital or the college in Vermont.
In the meantime, French told commuters to keep track of their expenses and Scozzafava announced a meeting at Moriah Central School on Wednesday at 7 p.m..
Scozzafava said he has been in touch with state officials every day, and while the plan is to re-do the piers, there is no time frame as to when the bridge will be repaired.
While the politicians made promises, some were not convinced.
Lillian Smits of Moriah said she spent the last week in Addison, Vt., instead of coming home in order to spare herself the long commute. Smits said she wants specific answers from officials.
"We need answers as to when the ferry is going to happen. When is the bridge going to be fixed? All they tell us is what they think we want to hear," she said.
Brothers Bill and Glen Buell also work over the bridge, and said its closure has lengthened their commute and contributed to stress.
Bill Buell said his one-and-a-half-hour commute turned into a three-hour drive after having to take the Ticonderoga ferry every morning.
Glen Buell said he used to get home around 4:45 p.m., but now it's more like 6:30 or 7 p.m.
"I think they should put a temporary bridge across," he said.
Some have resorted to taking their own pontoon boats or rowing across the lake, Glen Buell said.
Sunday afternoon, the crowd held hands as Pator David Hirtle of the First Congregational Church of Crown Point led them in a prayer.
"I've been listening to folks who are really having a hard time," he said. "To go and work eight hours, they have to drive four."
Posted in Local on Monday, October 26, 2009 2:00 am | Tags: Lake Champlain Bridge, Crown Point, Bridge, Vermont, Ferry,
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