Party to mark 2nd anniversary of Lake Champlain Bridge shutdown

PHOTOGRAPHER: The Associated Press

The opening of the new Lake Champlain Bridge remains up in the air, but a date has been set for a party marking the second anniversary of the old span’s shutdown because of safety reasons.

The Press-Republican of Plattsburgh reports that the event is scheduled for Oct. 16 at the Crown Point State Historic Site.

The original bridge connecting Crown Point and Addison, Vt., was closed by New York state transportation officials Oct. 16, 2009 after inspectors deemed the 80-year-old span was unsafe. It was destroyed with explosives in December 2009.

New York officials had set Oct. 9 as the date for opening the new span. But spring flooding delayed construction. They now say only that it will open before the end of the year.