ADDISON COUNTY — It’s summertime and that means road construction.
Roadwork is proceeding on a number of state roads throughout Addison County and the surrounding area, causing some delays for commuters and other travelers.
For example, motorists should expect delays on Route 7 from approximately Lime Kiln Road in New Haven north to the Ferrisburgh/Charlotte town line. This project consists of prepping the existing pavement to include grinding, crack sealing, pothole repairs then resurfacing with three-quarter-inch pavement and pavement markings along with other incidental items throughout the project.
Vermont Agency of Transportation officials this week anticipated work would include bridge joint work on the Ferrisburgh bridge, pavement markings on side road abutments, paving of the left turn lane for Plank Road and general cleanup. Flaggers were to allow for one lane of alternating traffic.
The expected completion date is July 28.
A list of many of the ongoing projects can be found below.
BRANDON
The Segment 6-Route 7 reconstruction project in Brandon will continue throughout the summer and into the following two years. The project has been broken up into six segments labeled “A” through “F.” Expect slow traffic through downtown.
Staging for the project began on June 6 and is slated to last 40 days. The project itself is set to begin on or around Aug. 1 with Segment B, which covers Route 7 from before the town library to the bank corner, plus Carver Street, Park Street, Union Street and Central Park. Work on West Seminary Street utilities will also begin on Aug. 1.
Work on this segment is projected to last 110 days. It will continue until November, cease for the winter, and then pick up again in March 2018. Segment B is expected to be completed in May of 2018.
CHARLOTTE
Commuters should expect delays due to an ongoing construction project on Route 7 from the Ferrisburgh/Charlotte town line north for three miles to Ferry Road.
This week construction was due to take place from East Thompsons Point Road to Wildwood West Development. Crews were constructing an eight-foot shoulder on Route 7 and removing an offline traffic detour that had been used while the site was prepped.
Work includes the installation of new drainage and select materials, and paving. The crew will also begin preparation of two box culverts for the section. This is part of a larger ongoing construction project that is slated to be finished next year.
HANCOCK
Road work may cause lane closures of Route 125 over Middlebury pass in the town of Hancock in the next two weeks. The project begins on Route 125 at mile marker 0.767 just before the west side of the pass and extends east for approximately 6.5 miles to the intersection of Route 100 in Hancock village.
The project is scheduled to be completed next week. Work to be performed includes paving, driveway and line striping, and guardrail and drainage improvements. Personnel will be on hand to control traffic flow, however, commuters should expect delays.
On July 28, a culvert replacement project approximately 2.5 miles west of the intersection of Route 125 and Route 100 will begin at 6 p.m. This will result in the full closure of Route 125 until July 31 at 6 a.m.
The closure also applies to cyclists and pedestrians. A detour will lead traffic through Rochester and Brandon on Route 73.
This follows a partial closure of Route 125 further west earlier this month. On July 2, flash flooding caused Route 125 from the Ripton Store west to Route 7 to be reduced to one land. Repairs took place last week and that area is now back up and running as usual.
ORWELL
Due to a bridge project in Orwell, Route 73 will be closed to through traffic at Bridge 4, also known as Hough Crossing, until Aug. 20. This closure also applies to cyclists and pedestrians.
The work will include the replacement of the bridge deck and bridge rail. Commuters will be redirected through a signed detour route that follows Route 22A to Route 74 in Shoreham to Route 73. The detour adds 5.5 miles to the existing route and drivers are advised to expect additional travel time.
For more information, visit vtrans.vermont.gov and check the pages of the Independent.