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Colchester Exit 17 Project

Colchester Exit 17

Construction Update

DATE: Friday, May 9, 2025

TRAFFIC IMPACT AND DURATION: From Sunday, May 11, at 7 p.m. to Friday, May 16, at 6 a.m., the northbound off-ramp at the Interstate 89 Exit 17 interchange will be closed between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. each night. From Wednesday, May 14, at 7 p.m., to Friday, May 16, at 6 a.m., the Exit 17 northbound on-ramp will also be closed between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. During these nighttime ramp closures, traffic will be detoured via the signed route at the Exit 18 interchange in Milton. Motorists familiar with the area are advised that the Exit 16 interchange remains open and can be used as an alternative route during the nighttime ramp closures.

I-89 northbound traffic seeking to exit at Exit 17 will be directed to Exit 18 in Milton, turn right onto U.S. Route 7 (U.S. 7), and travel approximately 9.5 miles south to the Chimney Corner intersection. Similarly, traffic in Colchester seeking to access I-89 northbound at the Exit 17 interchange will be detoured to travel north on U.S. 7 and take the northbound on-ramp at the Exit 18 interchange in Milton. Temporary traffic control signs and portable changeable message boards have been installed on I-89 and along the detour route to inform drivers of the ramp closures and guide them along the detour. A map of the signed detour is provided below.

During the Interstate 89 Exit 17 northbound off and on ramp closures, traffic will be detoured via the signed route at Exit 18 in Milton.

From Sunday, May 11, at 7 p.m. to Friday, May 16, at 8 p.m., I-89 will be reduced to a single lane in both directions near Exit 17, except during peak hours (3 p.m. to 8 p.m. for I-89 northbound and 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. for I-89 southbound).

Motorcyclists should expect uneven gravel surfaces on the Exit 17 northbound on-ramp, acceleration lane, and off-ramp during daytime hours when the ramps are open. Motorists should slow down, use caution, and pay attention to road signs while traveling through the project limits.

CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES: From Sunday through Friday during nighttime hours, crews will continue constructing the new Exit 17 northbound off-ramp and begin constructing the new northbound on-ramp and acceleration lane onto I-89, including paving. Crews will also pave the western approach to the new U.S. 2 bridge. All paving is weather-dependent. If the schedule allows, full-depth roadway reconstruction may begin late next week at the intersection of U.S. 2 and U.S. 7.

Monday through Friday during daytime hours, crews will drill to install foundations for new streetlights and traffic signal equipment along the northbound ramps up to the U.S. 2 and I-89 northbound ramps intersection. This work will occur off the roadway along the widened shoulders. Crews will also continue forming the new U.S. 2 bridge deck over I-89.

An aerial photo of crews constructing the western approach to the new U.S. 2 bridge in Colchester, VT.

 

An aerial photo of crews constructing the western approach to the new U.S. 2 bridge 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 Corner, 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, and 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

View the Project Factsheet

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 issues weekly Construction Updates via email during active construction to highlight 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:

TRAFFIC ALERT:

Starting Sunday, May 11, at 7 p.m. through Friday, May 16, at 6 a.m., the following nighttime closures will be in effect to support ramp construction at the Interstate 89 (I-89) Exit 17 interchange:

  • Exit 17 Northbound Off-Ramp Closure: Nightly from May 11 to May 16, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Exit 17 Northbound On-Ramp Closure: Nightly from May 14 to May 16, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Signed detour route during ramp closures:

  • I-89 northbound traffic seeking to exit at Exit 17 will be directed to exit the interstate at Exit 18 in Milton, turn right onto U.S. Route 7 (U.S. 7), and travel approximately 9.5 miles south to the Chimney Corner intersection of U.S. Route 2 and U.S. 7.
  • Similarly, traffic in Colchester seeking to access I-89 northbound at the Exit 17 interchange will be detoured to travel north on U.S. 7 and take the northbound on-ramp at Exit 18 in Milton.

Motorists familiar with the area are advised that the Exit 16 interchange remains open and can be used as an alternative route during the nighttime ramp closures. From Sunday, May 11, at 7 p.m. to Friday, May 16, at 8 p.m., I-89 will be reduced to a single lane in both directions near Exit 17, except during peak hours (3 p.m. to 8 p.m. for I-89 northbound and 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. for I-89 southbound).

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On Monday, August 19, southbound traffic on Interstate 89 exiting at Exit 17 permanently shifted to the new southbound off-ramp located west of the existing off-ramp.