kids encyclopedia robot

Lake Champlain Bridge (2011–present) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
This article is about Champlain Bridge (disambiguation). For other uses, see Lake Champlain Bridge (2011–present) (disambiguation).
This page is about the newer bridge spanning Lake Champlain. For the former bridge it replaced, see Lake Champlain Bridge (1929–2009).
Quick facts for kids
Lake Champlain Bridge
New York State Route 185 - 2.jpg
Coordinates 44°01′57″N 73°25′24″W / 44.03250°N 73.42333°W / 44.03250; -73.42333
Carries Two lanes of NY 185 and VT 17
Crosses Lake Champlain
Locale Crown Point, New York and Chimney Point, Vermont
Maintained by NYSDOT and VTrans
Characteristics
Design Modified network tied arch
Total length 2,200 ft (670 m)
Longest span 480 ft (150 m) (clear span)
402 ft (123 m) (tied arch span)
History
Opened November 7, 2011

The Lake Champlain Bridge is a vehicular bridge traversing Lake Champlain between Crown Point, New York and Chimney Point, Vermont. It replaced an older bridge that was demolished in 2009. The bridge was designed and constructed during an aggressive two-year schedule to minimize the social and economic impact of the original bridge's demolition. It is the only fixed-link crossing of Lake Champlain/Champlain canal between US 4 in Whitehall, 42 miles (68 km) to the south and US 2 at Rouses Point, 85 miles (137 km) to the north.

The main arch span was prefabricated off-site in Port Henry, floated by barge to the already constructed approach spans, and then lifted into place on August 26, 2011. The completed bridge was originally scheduled to open on October 9, 2011, but was delayed due to construction delays from underwater debris and record flooding.

The bridge opened to the public on Monday, November 7, 2011, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Description

After state inspectors determined that the previous Champlain Bridge was beyond repair in 2009, the states of New York and Vermont agreed to replace it. The new bridge employs a modified network tied arch design. Flatiron Constructors of Broomfield, Colorado, the U.S. subsidiary of the German firm, Hochtief AG, won the contract for the new bridge, and groundbreaking took place on June 11, 2010. The bridge construction contract was for $69.6 million. It was completed six weeks ahead of schedule, but at a cost of $78.29 million.

Gallery

A panorama of the replacement bridge under construction
A panorama of the replacement bridge under construction. The main arch span was brought in by barge and raised between the two approach spans shown above.
  • Vermont State Route 17, Lake Champlain Bridge 3

    View from the bridge deck during the "Grand Celebration" for the re-opening of the Lake Champlain Bridge on May 19, 2012.

  • ChamplainBridge CrownPt NY 20170721

    View of Lake Champlain Bridge from Crown Point.

  • ChamplainBridgeVT NY 20150927

    Aerial view of Lake Champlain Bridge connecting Addison, Vermont (right) & Crown Point, New York (left).

  • Lake Champlain Bridge - Chimney Point, VT (14936462523)

    View from below the Lake Champlain Bridge on the Vermont side on Chimney Point.

  • New York State Route 185

    View from the south of the bridge.

Lakechamplainbridge
The completed bridge, as seen from the Crown Point Light

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Lake Champlain Bridge (2011–present) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.