Construction Update
DATE: Friday, June 28, 2024
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: In observance of Independence Day, crews will be off-site by noon on Wednesday, July 3, and will return on-site at 6 a.m. on Monday, July 8.
TRAFFIC IMPACT AND DURATION: From Monday, July 1 through Wednesday, July 3, between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., traffic along U.S. Route 7 (U.S. 7) will be shifted to the eastern side of the roadway between the Shell Gas Station and Chimney Corner Intersection. Traffic on U.S. Route 2 (U.S. 2) will be shifted to the southern side of the roadway near the Interstate 89 (I-89) Exit 17 southbound off-ramp. There will be a single lane closure on I-89 southbound, between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., after peak morning hours to facilitate the installation of the deceleration lane to the I-89 Exit 17 southbound off-ramp.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES: Crews will continue hammering to remove ledge along the west side of U.S. 7 to widen the roadway between the Shell Gas Station and the Chimney Corner intersection.
Crews will continue work to construct the new I-89 Exit 17 southbound off-ramp. Crews will begin constructing the deceleration lane to the new I-89 southbound off-ramp along I-89 southbound. Crews will construct the new roadway for U.S. 2 near the existing southbound off-ramp and future southbound on and off ramps at the Exit 17 interchange, working from the shoulder of the roadway. Crews will conduct clearing off the roadway for the eastern bridge abutment.
Crews installed erosion prevention and sediment control measures along U.S. 7, U.S. 2, and the I-89 Exit 17 interchange in Colchester, VT.
Project Overview
The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) is improving the interchange at Interstate 89 (I-89) Exit 17 and the Chimney Corner intersection of U.S. Route 2 (U.S. 2) and U.S. Route 7 (U.S. 7) to enhance safety and mobility in Colchester, Vermont. Key project elements include:
- Replacing aging and deteriorating infrastructure through the full replacement of the existing U.S. 2 bridge over Interstate 89 (I-89).
- Extending the deceleration lane of the I-89 northbound off-ramp.
- Reconstructing the I-89 southbound off-ramp to make space for a new I-89 southbound on-ramp for U.S. 2 westbound.
- Eliminating the left-turn conflict point for westbound vehicles accessing I-89 southbound and reducing queuing and backups on U.S. 2 with a new I-89 southbound on-ramp.
- Improving the intersection of the I-89 northbound off-ramp at U.S. 2, including adding a U.S. 2 eastbound left-turn-only lane to increase capacity and reduce queuing and backups on the interstate.
- Widening the roadway to accommodate additional turning lanes on U.S. 2 eastbound and U.S. 7 northbound, to address queuing and delays at the U.S. 2 and U.S. 7 intersection.
Project Area
The project area includes the segment of U.S. 2 beginning just east of Jasper Mine Road and extending just under a half mile east to its intersection with U.S. 7 at Chimney Corners and the segment of U.S. 7 beginning just south of the Shell gas station/Simon’s Chimney Corner Store and extending just over a half mile north to its intersection with Wiley Road. The Exit 17 interstate ramps and the portion of I-89 bound by them.
Project Quick Facts
Contract Award: February 22, 2024
Target Construction Schedule: Spring 2024 – Summer 2026
Projected Completion: Summer 2026
Project Designer: VHB
Project Contractor: Kubricky-Jointa Lime LLC
Estimated Project Cost: $31,760,442.50
Funding: 100% federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration’s Programs
Stay Informed
The Colchester Exit 17 Project will be constructed over three seasons, starting in Spring 2024 and continuing through Summer 2026. The project team is issuing weekly Construction Updates via email highlighting the upcoming week’s construction activities and anticipated impacts. The project also issues Project Announcements and Traffic Alerts to the project stakeholder list to share important milestones and any schedule changes. To sign up to receive these updates directly in your inbox, fill out the form below:
Sign up to receive updates about the Colchester Exit 17 Project
Contact the Public Information Team
If you have questions or concerns regarding the Colchester Exit 17 project, please contact the project’s Public Information Team at:
- Email: info@ColchesterExit17.com
- 24-Hour Project Hotline: 802-595-4399
Construction Phasing
The Colchester Exit 17 Project will be completed in six phases over three construction seasons, beginning in Spring 2024 and continuing through Summer 2026. The first three phases are anticipated to be completed in 2024. Phases 4 and 5 are scheduled for 2025, and phase 6 is anticipated to be completed in 2026. During phased construction, flaggers and Uniformed Traffic Officers will be present to guide travelers safely through the project area.
Phase 1: Spring 2024 – Late Summer 2024
- Impacts: Moderate traffic impacts along U.S. 2 and 7. Minimal disruptions to I-89 southbound (SB).
- Work will include:
- Mobilization and preparatory work for the start of construction.
- Widening on both sides of U.S. 7 within the project limits and U.S. 2 near the I-89 SB ramps.
- Construction of the new I-89 SB off-ramp to U.S. 2 and the new deceleration lane from I-89 SB to the new off-ramp.
- Reconstruction of the acceleration lane from the new I-89 SB on-ramp from U.S. 2 westbound (WB).
Phase 2: Mid-Summer 2024 – Mid-Fall 2024
- Impacts: Moderate traffic impacts along U.S. 2.
- Work will include:
- Construction of the new gravel wetland along U.S. 2.
- Removal of the existing I-89 SB off-ramp and construction of the new I-89 SB on-ramp from U.S. 2 WB.
Phase 3: Mid-Summer 2024 – Late Fall 2024
- Impacts: Moderate traffic impacts at the U.S. 2 and U.S. 7 intersection. Construction of the new bridge will occur off the existing U.S. 2 alignment, next to the current bridge, resulting in limited traffic impacts.
- Work will include:
- Construction of portions of the new U.S. 2 bridge over I-89, focusing on the substructure. Activities will include pile installation, geotechnical work, and construction of bridge abutments and piers.
Phase 4: Spring 2025 – Fall 2025
- Impacts: Construction of the new bridge will occur off the existing U.S. 2 alignment, next to the current bridge, resulting in limited traffic impacts. Bridge work will require night shutdowns on I-89 with detours. Shutdowns are limited to five days in each direction. Moderate traffic impacts at the intersection of U.S. 2 and U.S. 7. Minimal impacts along I-89 northbound (NB) and U.S. 2 are expected.
- Work will include:
- Reconstruction of the deceleration lane from I-89 NB to the existing off-ramp.
- Construction of a portion of the roadway for the realignment of U.S. 2.
- Continued construction of the new U.S. 2 bridge over I-89, focusing on the superstructure, including the concrete deck.
- Milling and paving of portions if I-89 SB within the project limits.
Phase 5: Spring 2025 – Late Fall 2025
- Impacts: Moderate traffic impacts to I-89. Nightwork will result in I-89 NB ramp closures and detours, expected in April 2025. Minimal impacts are expected along U.S. 2.
- Work will include:
- Reconstruction of the existing NB on-ramp from U.S. 2 and the existing I-89 NB off-ramp from I-89 to U.S. 2.
- Reconstruction of U.S. 2 and the existing I-89 SB on-ramp. Removal of the existing I-89 SB on-ramp from U.S. 2.
- Install permanent traffic signals at U.S. 2 and the I-89 ramps.
- Open the new U.S. 2 bridge over I-89 and close the existing bridge.
Phase 6: Spring 2026 – Mid-Summer 2026
- Impacts: Final paving on U.S. 2 and 7 will take place at night under lane closures. Final bridge work will require nighttime shutdowns on I-89 with detours. Shutdowns are limited to five days in each direction. Minimal impacts are expected along U.S. 2.
- Work will include:
- Demolition and removal of the existing U.S. 2 bridge over I-89.
- Final paving and pavement markings along U.S. 2, U.S. 7, and the interstate ramps.
- Final site clean-up and restoration.