Rouses Point Bridge

The Rouses Point Bridge carries U.S. Route 2 (US 2) across Lake Champlain at the point where the Richelieu River begins its trek north to the St. Lawrence Seaway. Also known as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge, it connects Rouses Point, New York in the extreme northeast corner of New York to Alburgh, Vermont. It is the northernmost of three bridge crossings over the approximately 130 miles (210 km)-long Lake Champlain border between New York and Vermont.

Rouses Point Bridge
Rouses Point Bridge
Coordinates44°59′55″N 73°20′54″W
Carries US 2
CrossesLake Champlain
LocaleRouses Point, New York
Official nameKorean War Veterans Memorial Bridge
Characteristics
DesignCurved concrete deck
Total length6,000 feet (1,829 m)
Width50 feet (15 m)
Clearance below60 feet (18 m)
History
OpenedSeptember 22, 1987 (1987-09-22)[1][2]
Location

Construction history

1937 bridge
Old Rouses Point Bridge

The first bridge over the river was a Parker through truss structure with a swing bridge center section. Built by the Lake Champlain Bridge Commission from 1936–1937.[3] The first span opened on July 16, 1937.[4]

Current bridge

It was replaced by the current, over a mile long bridge, in May 1987.[5] This two lane, concrete girder, deck bridge has pull-off lanes in each direction.[6]

Rising 60’ above the water at its mid-point, the bridge curves slightly to the north as it enters Vermont and provides an exceptional view of Fort Montgomery on the west (New York) side of the lake. This fort was partially dismantled in the late 1980s and much of its materials were used in the construction of the bridge.[7] Fort Montgomery was in turn the successor of Fort Blunder which the United States accidentally built in Canada after the War of 1812.[8]

References
  1. Hedbor, Eloise (September 5, 1987). "Bridge to Open September 22". The Burlington Free Press. p. 18. Retrieved July 22, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. Hedbor, Eloise (September 23, 1987). "New Bridge is Dedicated to Veterans". The Burlington Free Press. p. 1. Retrieved July 22, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Alburg-Rouses Point Bridge Work Started in Two Weeks". The Burlington Free Press. February 24, 1936. p. 2. Retrieved July 24, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "New Span Across Lake Champlain From Rouses Point to Alburg Opened With Elaborate Ceremony". The Burlington Free Press. July 17, 1937. pp. 1, 3. Retrieved July 24, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "New Toll Free Bridge". NYtimes.com. Retrieved 2018-09-26.
  6. "Rouses Point Bridge Data Sheet". Bridgehunter.com. Retrieved 2018-09-26.
  7. "Fort Montgomery". HistoricLakes.org. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  8. "Fort Blunder". Neatorama.com. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
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