Construction and Travel Update
In April 2024, the contractor resumed work on the Quechee Gorge Bridge. Several features were implemented, including the eastbound lane closure and alternating travel over the bridge, controlled by a traffic signal. This closure and one-way alternating traffic will continue until spring 2025.
Workers have been preparing to shut down construction for the winter season. The travel lane is now 15-feet wide to allow for snow plows to fit within it. The pedestrian fence that separates the northern sidewalk from the travel lane has been removed to make space for winter maintenance. The fence will be re-erected in spring 2025.
Hiking Near the Bridge
For those traveling by foot, the trail is closed at the bridge underpass through the fall of 2025. The adjacent trail is open via a signed detour through the visitor center. Like last year, the contractor is using the southwest parking area as a staging site.
Members of the public are encouraged to visit the website regularly.
The designer's rendering illustrates the future Quechee Gorge Bridge railing. The team updated traffic management plans to ensure a safe and efficient work zone once the project goes to construction.
About the Project
The Quechee Gorge Bridge on US Route 4 in Hartford is one of Vermont’s most stunning and historic bridges. Rising 165 feet over the Ottauquechee River, it was constructed as a railway bridge in 1911 and converted to a roadway bridge in the 1930s. The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) is planning major rehabilitation to improve safety and to preserve the bridge.
There are several phases of work to be completed on this project. A major part of the project is to rehabilitate, clean, and paint the structural steel arch and framing that support the deck. In addition, a bridge abutment back wall, expansion joints, railings, and new sidewalks connecting all corners of the bridge to parking areas will be constructed.
Traffic will be maintained via one lane of alternating traffic with traffic lights through the project site. This is required to give the contractor adequate space to complete the work underneath and on each side of the deck. This traffic phasing will be in place from April through November of any given construction season.
Vermont Agency of Transportation has extended the construction timeframe from two full seasons to 3.5 seasons. One reason for this is that the construction and material supply industry is significantly different now than when developing the preliminary plans for the project. The delivery of material is now taking longer, and construction companies are working hard at maintaining their qualified staff. Initially, a project goal was to end construction for any given season by September 20th to open the bridge to full two lanes of traffic and both sidewalks for the foliage season. Further study revealed this limitation did not allow adequate construction time to complete the required phases of this project. As a result, the alternating one-lane of traffic and one sidewalk will be allowed to remain in place from April through November of each construction season.
The Vermont Agency of Transportation looks forward to a successful completion of this project!