New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and Vermont Agency of Transportation today announced that a public survey has shown overwhelming support for a modified network tied arch bridge to replace the existing Lake Champlain Bridge.
The project's public advisory committee has also recommended the same design in preference to the five other options. Concepts were also prepared for a different network tied arch design as well as long-span steel girder, segmental concrete, steel-composite cable-stayed and concrete extradosed bridge designs.
The modified tied arch design has a steel structure with a handle-like arch along the main span. Multiple redundancies would make this bridge significantly safer than the existing structure and ensure at least a 75-year service life, said NYSDOT. The design also is felt to be visually pleasing, complementing a mountainous back-drop.
HNTB is consultant for the work.
NYSDOT expects to make a final decision on the new design in mid-January after further consultation with project stakeholders.
The existing bridge has been closed since October when inspections determined that it was too unsafe for use. It proved to be too unstable for renovation and the decision was taken last month to demolish it.
Last week, NYSDOT's contractor Harrison & Burrowes Bridge Constructors appointed subcontractor Advanced Explosives Demolition to execute the controlled explosive demolition of the steel truss bridge.
