State Route 12E Bridge Closure Begins June 2, 2026

As most residents are aware, the bridge on 12E, just West of Three Mile Bay and East of Lance Shores Rd, is scheduled to be replaced during the Summer/Fall of 2026. 

Lyme Supervisor Zegarelli and Deputy Supervisor Kingsley attended a meeting on March 6^th to discuss traffic concerns, emergency services delays, timelines and details of the project.  Other attendees at this meeting included: NYS Assemblyman Scott Gray, Jefferson County Chairman Bill Johnson and representatives of NYS Senator Walczyk, Cape Vincent, Chaumont Volunteer and Three Mile Bay Fire Departments, Cape Vincent Ambulance, Jefferson County Highway Department and NY DOT.

Meeting summary:  This is part of a larger, Jefferson County bridge replacement project sponsored by NY DOT that will replace seven total bridges (three in 2026; four in 2027).  The project’s design began in May 2020, and public hearings were held in January 2023 (Jan 12^th  2023 at Lyme Town Offices).  The project has been bid, awarded and finalized.  During the design process, NY DOT examined all possible scenarios of traffic routing and determined that the most time and cost efficient decision was to close the bridge during construction.  This bridge is in a flood plain and DEC regulations were not conducive to widening or setting up a temporary bridge alongside the construction work.  These bridges are over 100 years old and well overdue for replacement.  If the bridges were to be flagged prior to replacement, the closure would be immediate and could last 2-3 years. 

NY DOT originally planned the closure to be Memorial Day to Halloween 2026.  In the meeting, they agreed to a June 1^st start date since Memorial Day week is generally considered the start of summer season for Lyme, Cape Vincent and surrounding areas.  They agreed to not close 12E until the very day they plan to start work – ie. if there is a delay in getting materials etc.  Work will be as constant as possible to meet or beat the Oct 31^st end date.  There may be a few days when it appears no work is occurring but that would only be during times when concrete is curing or other required settling processes.

Our local fire departments, first responders and EMS have been working on contingency plans to ensure coverage during this closure. 

While this bridge closure will be an inconvenience, it is a very short timeframe verses if the bridge were flagged.  Those that are closest to the bridge will feel the most effects, but we ask for everyone’s grace and patience for the five months of closure.  This work will ensure 12E is a viable road for another 100 years and is being completed with no financial input required by the Town.

The NY DOT recommended detour routes may not always be the shortest routes and are not required for travelers besides commercial vehicles.

Shortest routes:

Chaumont to Cape Vincent:  From 12E turn right on Millen’s Bay Rd (Cty Rt 8).  Turn left on Burnt Rock Rd N.  Turn right on 12E.   This will add 4 minutes (2.9 miles) to your trip.

Chaumont to Lyme Transfer Site:  From 12E turn right on Millen’s Bay Rd (Cty Rt 8).  Turn left on Burnt Rock Rd N.  Turn left on Swamp Rd. Turn right on 12E.   This will add 8 minutes (6.5 miles) to your trip.

DOT Detour route (heading West on 12E):

From 12E turn right on Depot St (Cty Rt 5).  Turn left on Ashland Rd. Turn left on Millen’s Bay Rd (Cty Rt 8). Turn left on Burnt Rock Rd N.  Turn left on Swamp Rd.  Turn right on 12E.  This will add 11 minutes (8.2 miles) to your trip.