The project team is issuing weekly Construction Updates via email, highlighting the upcoming week’s construction activities and anticipated impacts during active construction. The project also issues Project Announcements and Traffic Alerts to the project stakeholder list to share important milestones and any schedule changes. Click here to sign up to receive these updates directly in your inbox.
You can also sign up by contacting the project’s Public Information Team at 802-595-4399 or info@ColchesterExit17.com and providing your email address. Periodic updates will also be posted on VTAlert, Front Porch Forum, and VTrans social media channels.
Latest Construction Update
DATE: Friday, April 25, 2025
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: The construction of the new Interstate 89 (I-89) Exit 17 northbound ramps will require nighttime closures, starting Sunday, May 4. Traffic will be maintained via an off-site detour at the Exit 18 interchange in Milton during these closures. The work is scheduled for two weeks: from Sunday, May 4, at 7 p.m. to Friday, May 9, at 6 a.m., and from Sunday, May 11, at 7 p.m. to Friday, May 16, at 6 a.m. The Exit 17 northbound off-ramp will be closed to traffic between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. each night, with periodic closures of the Exit 17 northbound on-ramp between May 11 and May 16. During the off-ramp closures, northbound traffic will be directed to exit the interstate at Exit 18, 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 (U.S. 2) and U.S. 7. During the on-ramp closures, northbound traffic will be detoured to U.S. 7 at the Chimney Corner intersection, travel approximately 9.5 miles north on U.S. 7, and re-enter I-89 at the Exit 18 interchange in Milton. Temporary traffic control signage and portable changeable message boards will be installed along the detour route to guide travelers. The construction schedule is subject to change due to weather and other field variables. Additional notices will be issued in the coming week.
TRAFFIC IMPACT AND DURATION: From Monday, April 28, through Friday, May 2, I-89 will be reduced to a single lane in both directions near Exit 17 during off-peak hours: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on I-89 northbound and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on I-89 southbound.
The roadway shoulder along the U.S. 2 westbound lane will be closed between the I-89 northbound and southbound ramp intersections, with travel lanes on U.S. 2 shifted south.
The I-89 northbound off-ramp slip lane to U.S. 2 westbound will remain closed 24/7. Motorists can turn right or left onto U.S. 2 at the signalized intersection.
Motorists should slow down, use caution, and pay attention to road signs while traveling through the work zone.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES: Crews will install rebar and form construction joints for the new U.S. 2 bridge deck and continue constructing the eastern bridge approach.
Crews will begin excavating the roadway shoulder along the I-89 northbound deceleration lane and off-ramp at the Exit 17 interchange.
Crews will also install streetlight conduit and pole bases along the north side of U.S. 2 between the Exit 17 northbound and southbound ramp intersections.
Crews pour the concrete haunches for the new U.S. 2 bridge deck over I-89 in Colchester, VT.
Past Project Updates