More than 300 miles of road to be paved this summer and fall
Sheldon, Vt. – Governor Jim Douglas this morning announced that the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) will conduct a record amount of paving this construction season. VTrans will invest more than $100 million on paving this season for the first time in its history. Governor Douglas made the announcement in Sheldon, where VTrans is paving nearly 10 miles of Route 105 between Sheldon and Enosburg.
“I am proud of the increased investment we’ve made in our transportation infrastructure in recent years,” the Governor said. “This year’s paving budget is a great example of our commitment. VTrans’ paving expenditure for the 2010 construction season will total about $120 million – a record sum as no other paving season has ever topped $100 million.”
To put this season’s effort in perspective, last year VTrans’ paving program totaled $75 million as the agency resurfaced 142 miles. This year, the Agency’s investments will result in the resurfacing of more than 300 miles of road.
Due to the unusually mild winter, VTrans finished the year with a surplus in its winter maintenance budget. A large portion of that surplus, $2.6 million, will be redirected to paving so that more than $6 million can be used by the Agency’s nine Maintenance Districts to “level” more than 55 miles of roadway this spring and summer in the same spirit of the Agency’s very successful Operation Smooth Ride program of 2008. Unlike the Agency’s main paving program, which provides road surface treatments that can last up to 20 years, District leveling is designed to only provide a thin layer of surface treatment with an expected lifespan of three-to-five years.
As the Agency did in 2008 for Operation Smooth Ride, VTrans’ pavement management team joined forces with Maintenance District personnel to identify some of the worst roadways statewide that were not scheduled to receive a major repaving effort in the near future.
This team identified 55 miles of roadway in 40 different towns spread all over the state,” said VTrans Secretary David Dill. “These full-width pavement overlays will range in size from as long as 4.7 miles of Route 126 in Pownal to as short as six-tenths of a mile of Route 17 in Addison. On average, these Smooth Ride leveling efforts will cover just shy of two miles each.”
In 2003, the state had a paving budget of just $21.9 million. Since then, Governor Douglas and the Legislature steadily increased the paving program and with the help of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Vermont is able to dedicate $120 million to a single paving season.
The recent attention to pavement is beginning to show progress. In 2008, 36 percent of Vermont roads were listed in very poor condition. That percentage in 2009 fell to 34 percent. With $120 million expected to be spent this coming construction season, this percentage is expected to drop to somewhere close to 30 percent by the end of 2010.
“No where is this more prevalent than on our critical Interstate system,” Governor Douglas said. “This spring, summer and fall VTrans will resurface about 90 miles of Interstate. By the time the construction season is finished, we will have resurfaced 50 percent of Vermont’s entire Interstate highway system over the past five years.”
This emphasis on paving will continue. The new fiscal year 2011 Transportation Budget that was passed last week by both the Vermont House and Senate contains $93 million for paving. Some of this money will be put to work this construction season, but some is also targeted for next year. This continued commitment to the paving program means Vermont’s percentage of very poor roadways will continue to fall.
Showing posts with label vermont roads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vermont roads. Show all posts
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Thursday, October 29, 2009
NEW YORK GOVERNOR PATERSON AND VERMONT GOVERNOR DOUGLAS ANNOUNCE TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES TO ASSIST RESIDENTS IMPACTED BY THE CHAMPLAIN BRIDGE CLOS
New York and Vermont Transportation Agencies Continue Work to Assess Bridge Deterioration and Develop a Repair Plan
In response to the recent Champlain Bridge closure, New York Governor David A. Paterson and Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today announced transportation alternatives so that residents can cross Lake Champlain. New York and Vermont have reached an agreement with the Fort Ticonderoga Ferry operator to offer free ferry service between Ticonderoga, New York and Shoreham, Vermont and with Lake Champlain Transportation to offer free ferry service at the Essex/Charlotte crossing. Also, starting tomorrow, free express bus service will bring commuters to three major employers in Vermont. In addition, pedestrian ferry service has been established north of the Lake Champlain Bridge between Westport, New York and Basin Harbor, Vermont.
“Governor Douglas and I continue to work diligently on both sides of the Lake to offer transportation alternatives to New York and Vermont residents who have been impacted by the closure of the Champlain Bridge,” Governor Paterson said. “We will continue to work with Vermont to find temporary solutions for crossing Lake Champlain and longer-term solutions for reopening the bridge to traffic.”
Governor Douglas said: “Governor Paterson shares my commitment to easing the burden on commuters, reestablishing truck and agricultural vehicle traffic, and allowing businesses and families to get across Lake Champlain in a safe affordable and timely manner. These alternatives are an important step in that direction. We are going to continue to make this our top transportation priority.”
Free Ferry Service
Both New York and Vermont officials have reached an agreement with Lake Champlain Transportation to subsidize free ferry service for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, buses, fuel trucks and standard-width agricultural vehicles, including dairy trucks crossing the lake between Essex, New York and Charlotte, Vermont. The two states also reached an agreement with the operator of the Fort Ticonderoga Ferry to offer free service between Ticonderoga, New York and Shoreham, Vermont. The free services will begin tomorrow.
Express Bus Service
New express commuter bus service between New York and three major Vermont employers will also begin tomorrow. The free commuter service will transport workers between two parking locations in New York to Porter Medical Center and Middlebury College in Middlebury and the B.F. Goodrich plant in Vergennes. The two-hour bus trips will run Monday through Friday, with morning pick ups and evening drop offs occurring at the Fort Ticonderoga Ferry site and the boat launch on Dock Lane in Port Henry. Buses will depart New York at 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. each morning and will depart Vermont at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. each evening.
Pedestrian Ferry
A pedestrian ferry between Westport and Basin Harbor began operating today. Parking is available at no charge at the Essex County Fairgrounds and complementary shuttle bus service will transport pedestrian passengers to the ferry. Parking is also available at the Basin Harbor Club in Vermont.
Shuttle Bus Service
Essex County Transit and Addison County Transit will operate shuttle buses between several park-and-ride locations set up in New York and the ferries. Routes are expected to include Crown Point and Ticonderoga in New York and the B.F. Goodrich plant in Vermont.
Anne Noonan, Vice President of Marketing and Traffic at Trailways Transportation System said: “We are pleased to be working with the New York State Department of Transportation to offer assistance to those who need transportation at this time.”
Other Options Being Explored
At the direction of both Governor Paterson and Governor Douglas, New York and Vermont transportation officials continue to explore additional ferry service options. The Ticonderoga Ferry and Essex/Charlotte Ferry have already extended their operating hours, utilizing lights provided by the New York State Department of Transportation. The states are also examining options for an expanded vehicle ferry service that could accommodate trucks at the Ticonderoga ferry location.
The two states continue to move forward with structural assessments of the Lake Champlain Bridge. Diving inspections performed last week and over the weekend revealed that two piers supporting the bridge are in need of repair. Additional piers will undergo further underwater inspections this week, after deep mud and zebra mussels are removed from the structures. A plan is being developed to encase the deteriorating piers in reinforced concrete, though the repair work could take several months to complete.
New York is exploring the option of installing a temporary bridge south of Ticonderoga to carry traffic in the interim. Locations adjacent to the current bridge are not feasible because of the fragility of the existing structure.
Public Forums
Work continues on a repair plan to reopen the 2,184-foot-long bridge between Crown Point, New York, and Chimney Point, Vermont. Public meetings regarding the bridge closure have been set up for Tuesday, October 27, at the Addison Central School located at 121 Vermont Route 17W, Addison; and on Wednesday, October 28 at the Moriah Central School located at 29 Viking Lane, Port Henry. Both meetings will begin at 7 p.m. Additional information will be provided at the meetings.
Vermont Director Announced
Governor Douglas today also announced that he has tapped 34 year New York Department of Transportation veteran and current Vermont Agency of Transportation project manager, Jim Harris to lead Vermont’s multi-faceted approach to managing the Champlain Bridge closure.
“Jim Harris’ leadership skills and his ability to manage challenges that extend beyond transportation make him more than qualified for this vital role,” said Governor Douglas. “He has more has 40 years of experience in transportation and project management. His expertise on the ground in Addison County everyday dealing with the wide-range of challenges, from economic and jobs loss to agriculture, caused by this transportation crisis will be essential.”
Harris’ responsibilities will extend beyond the transportation situation caused by the Champlain Bridge closure. Harris will act as the point of contact for all Vermont state agencies and departments as well as local officials and the public.
For More Information
In New York, Governor Paterson has established a toll-free hotline, 1-888-769-7243, and a walk-in outreach center at the bridge. Additional information about the bridge and available options for crossing Lake Champlain is available at http://www.lcbclosure.com. Vermont residents can call 211 for information regarding the bridge closure. An Addison County office location for Vermont Project Manager Jim Harris will be announced soon.
In response to the recent Champlain Bridge closure, New York Governor David A. Paterson and Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today announced transportation alternatives so that residents can cross Lake Champlain. New York and Vermont have reached an agreement with the Fort Ticonderoga Ferry operator to offer free ferry service between Ticonderoga, New York and Shoreham, Vermont and with Lake Champlain Transportation to offer free ferry service at the Essex/Charlotte crossing. Also, starting tomorrow, free express bus service will bring commuters to three major employers in Vermont. In addition, pedestrian ferry service has been established north of the Lake Champlain Bridge between Westport, New York and Basin Harbor, Vermont.
“Governor Douglas and I continue to work diligently on both sides of the Lake to offer transportation alternatives to New York and Vermont residents who have been impacted by the closure of the Champlain Bridge,” Governor Paterson said. “We will continue to work with Vermont to find temporary solutions for crossing Lake Champlain and longer-term solutions for reopening the bridge to traffic.”
Governor Douglas said: “Governor Paterson shares my commitment to easing the burden on commuters, reestablishing truck and agricultural vehicle traffic, and allowing businesses and families to get across Lake Champlain in a safe affordable and timely manner. These alternatives are an important step in that direction. We are going to continue to make this our top transportation priority.”
Free Ferry Service
Both New York and Vermont officials have reached an agreement with Lake Champlain Transportation to subsidize free ferry service for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, buses, fuel trucks and standard-width agricultural vehicles, including dairy trucks crossing the lake between Essex, New York and Charlotte, Vermont. The two states also reached an agreement with the operator of the Fort Ticonderoga Ferry to offer free service between Ticonderoga, New York and Shoreham, Vermont. The free services will begin tomorrow.
Express Bus Service
New express commuter bus service between New York and three major Vermont employers will also begin tomorrow. The free commuter service will transport workers between two parking locations in New York to Porter Medical Center and Middlebury College in Middlebury and the B.F. Goodrich plant in Vergennes. The two-hour bus trips will run Monday through Friday, with morning pick ups and evening drop offs occurring at the Fort Ticonderoga Ferry site and the boat launch on Dock Lane in Port Henry. Buses will depart New York at 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. each morning and will depart Vermont at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. each evening.
Pedestrian Ferry
A pedestrian ferry between Westport and Basin Harbor began operating today. Parking is available at no charge at the Essex County Fairgrounds and complementary shuttle bus service will transport pedestrian passengers to the ferry. Parking is also available at the Basin Harbor Club in Vermont.
Shuttle Bus Service
Essex County Transit and Addison County Transit will operate shuttle buses between several park-and-ride locations set up in New York and the ferries. Routes are expected to include Crown Point and Ticonderoga in New York and the B.F. Goodrich plant in Vermont.
Anne Noonan, Vice President of Marketing and Traffic at Trailways Transportation System said: “We are pleased to be working with the New York State Department of Transportation to offer assistance to those who need transportation at this time.”
Other Options Being Explored
At the direction of both Governor Paterson and Governor Douglas, New York and Vermont transportation officials continue to explore additional ferry service options. The Ticonderoga Ferry and Essex/Charlotte Ferry have already extended their operating hours, utilizing lights provided by the New York State Department of Transportation. The states are also examining options for an expanded vehicle ferry service that could accommodate trucks at the Ticonderoga ferry location.
The two states continue to move forward with structural assessments of the Lake Champlain Bridge. Diving inspections performed last week and over the weekend revealed that two piers supporting the bridge are in need of repair. Additional piers will undergo further underwater inspections this week, after deep mud and zebra mussels are removed from the structures. A plan is being developed to encase the deteriorating piers in reinforced concrete, though the repair work could take several months to complete.
New York is exploring the option of installing a temporary bridge south of Ticonderoga to carry traffic in the interim. Locations adjacent to the current bridge are not feasible because of the fragility of the existing structure.
Public Forums
Work continues on a repair plan to reopen the 2,184-foot-long bridge between Crown Point, New York, and Chimney Point, Vermont. Public meetings regarding the bridge closure have been set up for Tuesday, October 27, at the Addison Central School located at 121 Vermont Route 17W, Addison; and on Wednesday, October 28 at the Moriah Central School located at 29 Viking Lane, Port Henry. Both meetings will begin at 7 p.m. Additional information will be provided at the meetings.
Vermont Director Announced
Governor Douglas today also announced that he has tapped 34 year New York Department of Transportation veteran and current Vermont Agency of Transportation project manager, Jim Harris to lead Vermont’s multi-faceted approach to managing the Champlain Bridge closure.
“Jim Harris’ leadership skills and his ability to manage challenges that extend beyond transportation make him more than qualified for this vital role,” said Governor Douglas. “He has more has 40 years of experience in transportation and project management. His expertise on the ground in Addison County everyday dealing with the wide-range of challenges, from economic and jobs loss to agriculture, caused by this transportation crisis will be essential.”
Harris’ responsibilities will extend beyond the transportation situation caused by the Champlain Bridge closure. Harris will act as the point of contact for all Vermont state agencies and departments as well as local officials and the public.
For More Information
In New York, Governor Paterson has established a toll-free hotline, 1-888-769-7243, and a walk-in outreach center at the bridge. Additional information about the bridge and available options for crossing Lake Champlain is available at http://www.lcbclosure.com. Vermont residents can call 211 for information regarding the bridge closure. An Addison County office location for Vermont Project Manager Jim Harris will be announced soon.
Friday, October 9, 2009
High-Friction Surface Installed on Route 9 Trouble Spot
MONTPELIER – The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) on Thursday, October 8 will lay a high-friction pavement overlay over a short segment of Route 9 in Woodford to help prevent future motor vehicle crashes at an identified high-crash location.
The emulsion, known as Tyregrip, is a new product that has not yet been tested in the northeast. VTrans believes the new product could help prevent motor vehicle crashes and chose a nearly 300-foot-long, curvy section of Route 9 in Woodford to experiment with the new product due to the location’s crash history.
The high-friction overlay will be applied only over the westbound lane of Route 9. This location was chosen because VTran’s Crash Reporting System documented 13 injuries and 4 fatalities from 2000 through 2008 along this roadway segment.
“Safety is one of our top priorities,” said VTrans Secretary David Dill. “We are always looking for new and innovative ways to prevent crashes and save lives.”
The targeted segment of Route 9 in Woodford is curved with a steep decline, a combination that can compound problems associated with wet and slippery pavement. After applying nearly 500 square yards of the overlay – which was donated by its manufacturer, Ennis Paint Inc – VTrans will monitor the location and collect data for a three-year period to determine its effectiveness.
The Tyregrip overlay represents the second time VTrans has used a new safety product along Route 9. Two years ago, VTrans installed an experimental anti-icing overlay along a section of Route 9 in Searsburg.
The emulsion, known as Tyregrip, is a new product that has not yet been tested in the northeast. VTrans believes the new product could help prevent motor vehicle crashes and chose a nearly 300-foot-long, curvy section of Route 9 in Woodford to experiment with the new product due to the location’s crash history.
The high-friction overlay will be applied only over the westbound lane of Route 9. This location was chosen because VTran’s Crash Reporting System documented 13 injuries and 4 fatalities from 2000 through 2008 along this roadway segment.
“Safety is one of our top priorities,” said VTrans Secretary David Dill. “We are always looking for new and innovative ways to prevent crashes and save lives.”
The targeted segment of Route 9 in Woodford is curved with a steep decline, a combination that can compound problems associated with wet and slippery pavement. After applying nearly 500 square yards of the overlay – which was donated by its manufacturer, Ennis Paint Inc – VTrans will monitor the location and collect data for a three-year period to determine its effectiveness.
The Tyregrip overlay represents the second time VTrans has used a new safety product along Route 9. Two years ago, VTrans installed an experimental anti-icing overlay along a section of Route 9 in Searsburg.
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