Carpenter Flats Bridge re-opens

Dec. 5—PERU — After months of closure, the Carpenter's Flats Bridge on Route 9 over the Ausable River has re-opened.

"It's a relief that people don't have to take a long detour anymore and it will be a relief of all that extra traffic on other roads," Clinton County Legislator Robert Timmons (R-Area 7, Peru) who represents the area where the bridge is, said.

Plagued by ice jams over the years, the bridge was closed in mid-July for repairs and improvements. Motorists were forced to take detours through Peru and surrounding areas to get north and south on the east side of the county along the shores of Lake Champlain for the past five months.

The $6.2 million rehabilitation project improved the bridge's ability to ward off ice jams that caused flooding.

The project raised the steel truss bridge over the river by three-and-a-half feet and made other improvements to help lessen the impact of ice jams, reduce instances of flooding and enhance safety along this vital corridor for North Country travelers, the state said in a news release.

"From record rainstorms and devastating floods to record-setting blizzards, New Yorkers have already experienced first-hand the impacts of climate change and we are doing all we can to ensure that our infrastructure is ready to meet this challenge," Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

"By raising this important bridge over the beautiful Ausable River, we are improving the resiliency of a key travel route for North Country motorists and taking an important step in our battle against the impacts of severe weather."

The Carpenter's Flats Bridge, which was constructed in 1941, is listed on National Register of Historic Places and is viewed as a prime example of mid-20th century bridge engineering and construction, the state said.

Completion of the 255-foot-long bridge helped turn State Route 9 into a major north-south highway and eased transportation throughout the region.

As part of the project, the steel truss, which was previously rehabilitated in 1994, was repaired and lifted to its new height. It now rests on concrete caps that were poured on top of the existing substructure to meet the new elevation.

Additionally, the bridge approaches were rehabilitated, and the guide rails were brought up to modern standards.

The project was partially funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in addition to state funding.

Peru Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald said the town is grateful that they were able to keep this project on track, and is happy to have the bridge re-opened.

"DOT has kept great communication with us throughout the project, and we appreciate it," McDonald said.

State Sen. Daniel Stec said the reopening of the bridge is welcome news for Clinton County residents.

"With the rehabilitation project complete, the overhauled bridge is better equipped to meet the challenges we face from winter and extreme weather. This will significantly improve accessibility and safety for drivers in our region," Stec said.

Assemblymember Billy Jones said improving roads and infrastructure is so important in making sure that everyone is able to drive safely.

"I want to thank the construction crew for all their hard work. I also want to thank everyone for their patience during this project because I know the detour was inconvenient and negatively impacted local business owners," Jones said.

Timmons said local businesses that were affected by the closure will be glad the bridge is reopened, as will Clinton County Emergency Services.

"I'm sure that they (businesses) felt it, and it'll be good that it's done and it definitely took a little bit more time for someone who might have needed mutual aid or something so it will be good to have it open again," he said.

County Legislature Chairman Mark Henry (R-Area 3, Chazy) said he was grateful to the state for making the bridge project happen.

"The Route 9 corridor is an important thoroughfare to the residents of Clinton and Essex Counties and we are appreciative for the state's efforts to compete this project so expeditiously," Henry said.

"We all know what it's like to have bridges and roads closed for lengthy periods of time to to repair them or replace them, and it's never a good time, but it has to be done for for the folks that live in the area, it has to be done for our economy, it has to be done for many reasons, and you just have to do it."

E-mail: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com

Twitter: @jlotemplio