Rt. 9 Bridge Still Closed
Peru – February 23, 2018 – As of 11 AM the Route 9 Carpenter’s Flats Bridge over the Ausable River was still closed. There is a serious ice jam on both sides of the bridge with water flowing into a nearby field.
New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) representative Michael Flick said bridges are designed to withstand lateral forces such as high winds, but significant ice flows striking the bridge girders can be problematic. Some lateral movement has been reported at this bridge. He explained, “We have to wait for the river level to recede before we can get under the bridge and determine the extent of any damage.” He said bridges are anchored by rubber bearings and steel plates that allow for movement. DOT periodically replaces the bearings. Experienced bridge management engineers are on the scene. The Carpenter’s Flats Bridge was constructed in 1941.
Our first video shows the water flowing over Ausable Chasm’s Rainbow Falls at 11:40 AM today. This water flows downriver to Carpenter’s Flats Bridge. The second video shows the situation at the bridge this morning.
Correction at 5:54 PM, Feb. 23, 2018. Bridges are designed to withstand lateral movement caused by high winds, but they are not designed to withstand lateral movement caused by large ice flows.
Posted: February 23rd, 2018 under Adirondack Region News, General News, Highway Dept. News, Peru News, Peru/Regional History, State Government News.