Major Construction Complete on $6.2 Million Project that Raised Historic Bridge Along State Route 9 to Reduce Potential of Flooding and Ice Jams
Photos of Bridge Reopening Available Here
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that major construction is complete on a $6.2 million rehabilitation project that improved the resiliency of the historic Carpenter’s Flats Bridge along State Route 9 in Clinton County. The project, which began during the summer, raised the steel truss bridge over Ausable 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. State Route 9 stitches together the communities along the western shore of Lake Champlain and is used by motorists to reach the City of Plattsburgh, the State of Vermont, the Canadian border and other popular destinations in the region.
“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,” Governor 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. 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.
During construction, traffic was detoured around the site using State Route 9 and 9N, as well as State Route 22 and 422. The project was partially funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in addition to state funding.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Ice jams have become an all-too-common occurrence at the Carpenter’s Flats Bridge, disrupting travel and inconveniencing residents and visitors alike. But thanks to the leadership and vision of Governor Hochul, New York State is making critically important investments to improve the resiliency of our infrastructure against the impacts of climate change, as we have done with this historic bridge over the Ausable River.”
State Senator Daniel Stec said, “The reopening of the Carpenter’s Flats 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.”
Assemblymember Billy Jones said, “After months of anticipation, the Carpenter Flats Bridge in Ausable has reopened. Improving our roads and infrastructure is so important in making sure that everyone is able to drive safely, and 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.”
Peru Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald said, “We’re grateful that they were able to keep this project on track, and are happy to have the bridge re-opened. DOT has kept great communication with us throughout the project, and we appreciate it.”
Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.
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