Crown Point Bridge: Two live video feeds of Wednesday demo; public viewing area established

by Brian Mann on December 22nd, 2009

So far I’ve found two sources on-line where you can watch live video on Wednesday of the demolition of the Crown Point bridge.

The Department of Transportation plans its own live feed, which you can find here. (Bookmark it today!)

Also, the Glens Falls Post-Star is offering their own video feed here that will go up live five minutes before the scheduled explosion, which is set now for 10 am.

NCPR will have a video up on our home page shortly after the demolition, so if the web circuits are jammed at 10 am check back here for images shortly after.

Also, we’ll have professional photographer Mark Kurtz from Saranac Lake shooting images of the historic event. Look for his photo essay: should offer a unique perspective.

Meanwhile, I’m going to a reporter briefing early this afternoon to hear details about how the bridge destruction will be handled, what it is expected to look like, etc.

Join us this afternoon for All Before Five with Jonathan Brown, where I’ll give my best sense of what to expect on Wednesday.

One more note: the DOT has designated the Port Henry boat launch as the public viewing area. Sounds like it will be pretty crowded there.

I’ve pasted their full public announcement below:

ALBANY, NY (12/21/2009)(readMedia)– The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) today announced that, for safety reasons, the boat launch in Port Henry has been selected as the site for public viewing of the demolition of the Lake Champlain Bridge from New York State. The demolition is scheduled for Wednesday, December 23, 2009 and is tentatively set for 10 a.m. Access to the public viewing site will be available beginning at 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

The demolition contractor, Advanced Explosives Demolition, Inc. (AED) of Idaho, has established safety protocols for employees and for the public. The public will not be allowed in the area immediately surrounding the bridge, including the land, water and air. A safety zone of 1,000 feet has been established for land access and the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) has established a 2,000 foot no-fly zone. Access to certain roads also will be restricted to ensure public safety. For their protection, the public is required to abide by the safety zones.

In order to protect the public during the Lake Champlain Bridge demolition and subsequent debris removal, the United States Coast Guard (USGS) has established a water safety zone of 1,000 feet on either side of the bridge. No vessels, vehicles or persons are permitted within this area without approval from the Captain of the Port, Coast Guard Sector Northern New England. This safety zone is in effect from 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 20, 2009 until Thursday, April 15, 2010, to allow the channel to be cleared of debris. Any questions regarding the safety zone should be directed to the Coast Guard Sector Northern New England Command Center at 207-767-0302.

AED is responsible for the planning and execution of the controlled explosive demolition of the bridge. For public safety, and to accommodate the expected number of people interested in seeing the demolition in person, the boat launch in Port Henry has been determined to provide the best unobstructed views of the bridge, weather permitting.

All those planning to view the bridge demolition in person are warned to plan for bitterly cold temperatures and should dress warmly. People with health conditions prohibiting them from being exposed to extreme cold should not plan to attend.

The public is also advised to plan for heavy traffic in the area of the Port Henry boat launch. Traffic control measures will be in place the morning of demolition and a limited number of chemical toilets will be available at the site. Parking is very limited at the site. Police officers will be on hand to direct traffic and variable message signs will update motorists regarding parking availability. An alternate suggested viewing area is located at the Bulwagga Bay Park in the town of Moriah, however, no facilities will be available at that location.

A live broadcast of the bridge demolition will be available on the Internet. Those preferring to watch the bridge demolition from the comfort of their homes or offices may access a link to the live broadcast at https://www.nysdot.gov/lakechamplainbridge on Wednesday morning, December 23. A live satellite link will also be provided to media who would prefer to download it, rather than send a crew to Crown Point.

The following road closures will be put into place:

Bridge Road will be closed to traffic at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 22, at the entrance to the Crown Point Historic Site and east of Lake Road (County Road 48). Local residents will be allowed past the closure point upon presentation of identification that specifies their address. The closure will stay in effect until 5 p.m. on December 23.

Bridge Road at Route 9N and Lake Road at Burdick Road will be closed beginning at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, December 23. At these two locations, local residents will be allowed to proceed upon presentation of identification that includes their address.

In addition, Harbor Lane will be closed at Bulwagga Bay Road effective Wednesday, December 23 at 5:00 a.m. until traffic has been cleared following bridge demolition.

Further information can be obtained at https://www.nysdot.gov/lakechamplainbridge.