The Lake Champlain Bridge Community is a grassroots coalition of business owners, concerned citizens and civic leaders from New York and Vermont focused on promoting travel and commerce along the Lake Champlain Bridge Corridor. The abrupt closing and subsequent condemnation in 2009 of the 1929 Lake Champlain Bridge, also known as the Crown Point Bridge, sent the local communities along the Bridge
Corridor into an economic tailspin. Our concerns about loss of business and the domino effect it had on thousands of workers and commuters, the impact on farmers and truckers, the loss of tourism and detour away from business on both sides of the lake prompted us to form the Lake Champlain Bridge Coalition in November 2009. We organized, spoke up, spoke often and lobbied for an interim solution and a New Bridge. Through unprecedented collaboration of government officials at every level, Vermont and New York quickly decided to demolish the condemned bridge, construct temporary ferry facilities, and build a new bridge in the same location. As we move forward, our objective as the Lake Champlain Bridge Community is now focused on promoting the Communities along the Lake Champlain Bridge Corridor. Working in cooperation with local Chambers of Commerce, Visitor Centers, area destinations and community organizations, we will be posting:
• Promotion and support of local businesses, attractions and events along the Corridor
• Updates and news about upcoming events and celebrations in and about the Corridor
• Highlights of the various events and celebrations, i.e. photos, video, stories
And of course, we will also remain steadfast in ensuring our New Bridge is properly maintained, connecting our two states for many, many years to come. As Margaret Mead wrote…”Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: indeed it is the only thing that ever has”.
