Main Street Bridge in Keeseville closed temporarily

KEESEVILLE | Until further notice, the Main Street Bridge will be closed for major rehabilitation. Clinton County Highway Superintendent Karl Weiss recently notified both towns — Chesterfield and Ausable — that the historic stone-arch bridge will be closed to traffic as of Sept. 22 to undergo various improvements. The work includes replacing the existing roadway surface over the arch with a concrete relief slab, improving the existing drainage system, installing new ornamental railing, constructing new sidewalks, and repairing, cleaning, and repointing the existing masonry. According to the Clinton County Highway Department, the bridge is expected to reopen on or around Nov. 1 before the mandatory winter shutdown period. Construction is expected to resume on April 1, 2027. During the first construction period, detour signage will be placed along Routes 9, 9N, and 22. Travelers are encouraged to follow the posted detours and allow for extra travel time, especially for school routes, deliveries, and emergency access. The goal of this rehabilitation is to ensure the long-term safety, condition, functionality, and protection of one of the community's most important historic structures. "I know this closure will be inconvenient for many of us who use the bridge daily. I ask for your patience as this necessary work proceeds," said Town of Ausable Supervisor Tim Bresett. "The short-term disruption is the price of preserving a landmark that has served Keeseville for more than 180 years." Located in the heart of Keeseville, connecting the towns of Ausable and Chesterfield, the Main Street Bridge was designed by Silas Arnold and built by master mason Solomon Townsend in 1842. The structure, made of a mix of grey and reddish stone with riveted lattice railings, spans 91 feet over the Ausable River and was engineered to withstand heavy floods and ice jams. The Main Street Bridge, also known as the "Keystone Arch Bridge," is one of three historic bridges in Keeseville. The second is the Swing Bridge, which dates back to 1888. Built by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company, this twisted-wire cable suspension footbridge, which mimics a lightweight swinging suspension design, was constructed to carry local mill and factory workers across the gorge. The bridge, a National Civil Engineering Landmark and a National Register of Historic Places listing, remains open to the public and is used by many locals every day. The third is the Upper Bridge, which dates back to 1878. Also known as the "River Street Bridge" or "Mill Street Bridge," this structure was built for $3,500 by Murray, Dougal & Company. It is the oldest and longest double-span metal Pratt truss bridge in New York State, and it was documented in the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) and designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1987. Unfortunately, it has been closed for almost 20 years; however, both towns continue working to reopen it. "Bridges are more than crossings; they are connections that hold our communities together," Bresett said. "Investing in the historic Main Street Bridge and every other span in Ausable [and Chesterfield] is an investment in safety, commerce, and the future of our town." For more information about the Main Street Bridge project, individuals are encouraged to contact the Clinton County Highway Department at 518-565-4040.

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Main Street Bridge in Keeseville closed temporarily

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