<% Response.CacheControl = "no-cache" %> <% Response.Expires = -1 %> Follansby or LeBoeuf Bridge Rectification Vote [an error occurred while processing this directive]

The bridge known locally as Follansby or LeBoeuf Bridge has spanned the Raquette River for more than 100 years. It has always been a derelict to river navigation but it has never been of major concern until 1978 when it was rebuilt following major damage, to a height lower than it had been for decades. For much of the year the bridge doesn't even allow canoes, kayaks and the like to pass freely denying 20 miles of New York State Recreational River to people approaching the bridge from the downstream side and the entire Tupper Lake water system to those approaching the bridge from the upstream side. It effectively isolates Tupper Lake from the Natural History Museum, the Crusher and River Road.

Here's how the bridge has looked since 1978!

A picture of the post 1978 LeBoeuf Bridge on the Raquette River at Tupper Lake New York

Here's how the bridge looked before it was rebuilt in 1978!

A picture of the pre 1978 LeBoeuf Bridge on the Raquette River at Tupper Lake New York

If you have any bridge photos you think might be helpful to the cause please notify us or Send Them To photos@bridgebegone.org.

The bridge is dangerous. It is easy for a boat to get stuck underneath or damaged or for people to get hurt. On July 19, 1980 a fourteen year old boy named Teddy Borbeau was killed when he struck the bridge while standing in a boat while passing underneath.
The New York State Department of Transportation builds its bridges at least twenty-four inches above the 100 year high water mark. This means that according to this criteria the bridge is at least twenty-four inches too low.
The people responsible for the bridge have been approached and refuse to change the situation in any way.
Because of the fact that the land on both sides of the bridge is privately owned and by the same person the official position of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is that they have no jurisdiction in this matter.
We feel that the owner of the bridge has sstole the right of thousands of citizens to enjoy this natural system of lakes and rivers that is part of our heritage.
If you're interested in expressing an opinion on this please complete the following form to the extent you feel comfortable. Do not enter any personal information you would prefer to keep private. There are no cookies or other methods being used on this site to identify you and any personal information you submit other than your name and your opinion will be kept confidential. The most important information is whether or not you would like to see the bridge known locally as Follansby or LeBoeuf Bridge modified or removed allowing the clear passage of most recreational and emergency water traffic.
New York State agencies have the authority to rectify this situation but they are not convinced that it is an issue. They question how many people actually use the river and that many even might consider the bridge to be a problem. Besides voting here if you'd like to tell them in person you can call 1-518-897-1211 and ask to speak with: DEC Region 5 Attorney: Chris Lacombe or DEC Region 5 Director: Stuart Buchanan. They are both familiar with this issue.
If you do choose to participate, please only vote once. The data collected will be meaningless otherwise.
If you would like to be more involved then voting or have your organization or business listed below amongst the supporters of this petition then Please Email Us.

This survey is endorsed by:

Blue Jay Camp Sites
Tupper Lake Access Group
Tupper Lake Rod and Gun Club.

Return to the Chirping Bat Home Page, the host of this page.

Your first name:
Your last name:
Your email address:
Your mailing address:
Your city:
Your state:
Your zip / postal code:
Your country:
Your phone number:
An alternate phone number: