Wooden bridge slated to be torn down in Lisbon in next few weeks

LISBON — An iconic but decrepit bridge will be down by March.

The Church Street Bridge has been out of commission for more than a decade and will be demolished in the next few weeks, according to Jerome M. Hebda of Vermont Rail Services. The company leases and maintains the rail line that goes under bridge, which is owned by the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority.

Mr. Hebda said the removal of the bridge will benefit the town and the railroad, which will be able to run cars which were too large to fit under the bridge.

"It's been out of commission for a long time. It's a nuisance and a hazard," he said. "Once it's gone, it will also free up the only clearance constraint we have."

Funding for the bridge removal is coming from the state as part of a rehabilitation program for the OBPA's railroad.

Fiacco & Riley Construction Inc., Norwood, has been selected to demolish the bridge. There are no plans to replace the bridge. After demolition, the company will install guardrails on both sides of the gap.

Officials said the demolition is unlikely to pose any problems to traffic since the bridge has been out of commission, even for pedestrian use, for years. The wooden bridge was closed in the mid-90s due to safety concerns.

Lisbon Town Supervisor James W. Armstrong said the town has little say over what happens to the bridge because it is owned by the OBPA.

"At this point we don't have much of a choice. I guess they decided it wasn't safe and it has to go." he said.

Repeated calls to Highway Superintendent Timothy G. Dow were not returned.