Saving Keeseville’s Historic Bridges

We told you last fall about a preservation group in Keeseville, New York, working to save several historic bridges in the community. Matthew Pray says the bridges, all built in the 1800s, are one-of-a-kind. They are all on the National Register of Historic Places and are considered civil engineering landmarks. The group has worked with lawmakers looking for grant money, something both Essex and Clinton County say will be needed if the bridges are to be restored. Essex County Board of Supervisors Chairman Shaun Gillilland says the county pegs the cost at over $2-million-dollars to make the repairs necessary to restore the bridges. In addition to the grant money, an engineer would need to certify that any fix-up would make the bridge safe to use. The group has started placing these signs around Keeseville, hoping to get people in the community to show their support. Many have already signed a petition to save the bridges. Pray says they’ve collected more than 2-thousand signatures. Learn more: www.facebook.com/Keesevillehistoricbridges