The new bridge at the end of Van Rensselaer Point will reconnect the former railroad ferry dock to the mainland when it is installed likely at the end of October. The bridge is constructed and at the site, awaiting completion of other work.
Once the land is reconnected, it will offer spectacular views east and west, according to Dallas Robinson of the Fort La Presentation Association.
The bridge was built by Contech Solutions, located in Fort Payne, AL, utilizing a basic design developed by the Mechanical and Civil Engineering Departments at Clarkson University in 2020. Undergraduate students worked to develop plans for a bridge to cover the span. Several designs were formulated by students from both the Mechanical and Civil Engineering Departments. Drawings were then presented to the Association for input.
Three mechanical engineering students, Derrick Fouts, Zoe Murray, and Donny Nadon built the 1/12 scale model of the bridge. “They had desired to give the design a more striking visualization of the bridge than would be found in drawings alone,” Robinson said. The students worked under the guidance of Professor Ron Buckingham.
“We wish to give our thanks to Professor Buckingham, Professor Erik Backus, the chairpersons of the two respective departments, and students for their building of a model of the bridge,” Robinson said. “The railroad ferry was a vital component for the moving of freight across the St. Lawrence River to Prescott, Ontario, Canada prior to building the Prescott International Bridge.
The Ogdensburg-Prescott ferry operated from about 1858 to 1970. The service from Ogdensburg involved at various times the Northern, Ogdensburg, Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain, Vermont Central, Central Vermont, and Rutland Railroads to about 1908, after which the the New York Central managed it.
Robinson said it is believed that the removal of a portion of the railbed was to help alleviate flooding of the St. Lawrence River during high water levels. The dock portions of the rail ferry can still be seen, but the island has been allowed to return to a tangle of brush and scrub trees. Some clearing has been accomplished to allow the bridge abutments to be framed and poured.
“Our thanks to T.J. Fiacco and his crew for their outstanding work in the completion of this project,” Robinson said. Placement of the bridge is scheduled for the end of October.
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