The Peace Bridge is going to get a makeover – just not the one people thought it would be getting. The construction is slated to start in late 2009, but not with the original design. A bi-national design jury chose the original design two and a half years ago. They picked a 567-foot high two-tower cable stay bridge, designed by Christian Menn, as the recommended bridge to expand capacity. It is pictured below:
Well, after a thorough review, The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) determined that the height of the towers on the original design might have an unacceptable impact on migratory birds and the protected Common Tern. With those findings, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Environmental Protection Agency, Environment Canada, Audobon New York, the Baird Foundation, and members of the public all expressed concerns.
Now instead of the original design, the FHWA sent a letter on April 11th to Congressman Higgins suggesting they use the lower profile three span arch, also considered by the jury. Pictured with this post, at its highest point it is 226 feet and the Figg Engineering Group developed it.
The Peace Bridge Authority is now looking to make its decision final. Vice-chairmain Anthony Annunziata said, “The objective is to balance all the competing interests. We want to ensure we have a great design that the public wants yet still meet all the environmental regulations imposed by the agencies. We will continue with the process and work towards achieving a Record of Decision during the summer and commencement of construction in late 2009.”
Does anyone remember the Ambassador Bridge?