Construction Update
DATE: Friday, June 21, 2024
TRAFFIC IMPACT AND DURATION: On Sunday, June 23, from 6 p.m. to Monday, June 24 at 6 a.m., there will be single-lane closures on U.S. Route 7 (U.S. 7) between the Shell Gas Station and Wiley Road, and on U.S. Route 2 (U.S. 2) near the Chimney Corner intersection. Flaggers will be on-site to facilitate alternating one-way traffic.
From Monday, June 24 through Friday, June 28, between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., traffic along 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. 2 will be shifted to the southern side of the roadway.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES: On Sunday during nighttime hours, crews will pave the east side of U.S. 7 between just south of the Shell Gas Station and Wiley Road and install line striping on U.S. 2 near the Chimney Corner intersection. Throughout the week during the nighttime hours, crews will continue constructing the Interstate 89 (I-89) Exit 17 southbound off-ramp.
Monday through Friday during daytime hours, crews will hammer to remove ledge along the west side of U.S. 7 to facilitate roadway widening between the Shell Gas Station and the Chimney Corner intersection. Additionally, erosion prevention and sediment control measures will be installed off the roadway throughout the project area.
Crews continue constructing the I-89 Exit 17 southbound off-ramp.
Crews conduct work to widen the roadway along U.S. 7 in Colchester, VT.
CONSTRUCTION PHASES:
The Colchester Exit 17 Project will be completed in six phases over three construction seasons, beginning in Spring 2024 and continuing through Summer 2026.
LOCATION: The segment of U.S. 2 starting 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 starting 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 bounded by them.
PROJECTED COMPLETION: Summer 2026
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 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
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