Quick build a new one.

The Champlain Bridge handled almost 4,000 vehicles a day. It looks now that through the winter and beyond ferry traffic will be the substitute.

According to Stanley Gee, acting commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation. who said previous estimates put the cost of a replacement bridge at about $50 million

Vermont has a good share of deteriorating bridges. They are given rationed care and rely heavily on regular inspection quickly finding trouble .Anyone know how many state inspectors still have jobs? Trouble with the Richmond St. Bridge was luckily found. Just as luckily ARRA federal funding for repairs was quick in arriving. Your tax dollars at work for you.

Maybe now in light of the news that the Champlain Bridge is beyond repair and must be torn down its time for a  review of the rationed bridge care and bridge inspection process here in Vermont. Let’s inspect the inspection process and see what may be slipping through the cracks.  

Vermont and New York both share ownership but the maintenance is New York’s responsibility

The Albany Times Union reported this week (Vermont and New York newspapers shared the story but a New York paper was responsible for committing some journalism) that a method that could have alerted the inspectors to the concrete abutment condition was not put into use. The cost for the test seemed high apparently.

A $10,000 high-tech ultrasonic test of the piers — something the state did not perform — could have provided an early warning of lurking rot and given time to make repairs to stabilize the piers before the bridge became unsafe, according to a national engineering expert on bridge failures.

Pennywise and pound foolish, an old yet useful saying .Better safe than sorry isn’t too bad either.

http://www.timesargus.com/arti…

http://www.timesunion.com/AspS…