Ending decades of disputes over proposals to construct the Chittenden County Circumferential Highway, Governor Peter Shumlin today released a task force report outlining 34 alternative projects to ease traffic congestion in the ‘Circ’ region that provide maximum economic benefit with minimum environmental damage. ‘
The governor was joined by Transportation Secretary Brian Searles, lawmakers, town officials, local business representatives, environmental organizations and many others in the Williston Town Hall to applaud the proposals, which address mobility, congestion, transportation demand, safety, livability, and economic development in the region.’
‘I said in May of 2011 that we’ve argued about the Circ Highway proposal for too long. Meanwhile, traffic congestion had only gotten worse, impacting businesses and the quality of life in this area. It was past time to pull the plug on Circ planning and instead focus on other alternatives to achieve the same goals,’ Gov. Shumlin said. ‘The task force that came up with these ideas did a remarkable job of compromising, listening to all sides, and unanimously approving 34 projects that could be constructed in the coming years.’’
‘This group worked very hard to reach consensus on all of the projects, and it was impressive how they kept their eye on the big picture and included options for every constituency in the region,’ said Michele Boomhower, Assistant/MPO Director, Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC).’
Beginning last May, the CCCRPC, at the request of the Governor, coordinated a process to identify projects that would meet the purpose and the need that the Circ was intended to address.’
The CCRPC, in collaboration with the Agency of Transportation, convened the CIRC Alternatives Task Force, consisting of 23 representatives of the Towns of Colchester, Essex, Williston, the Village of Essex Junction, state agencies, CCTA, the bicycle and pedestrian community, environmental groups, and the business community. The Task Force’s charge was to identify a list of immediate, mid- and long-term recommendations for projects and planning activities to address the transportation needs in the region.’
The Task Force met 13 times between July 2011 and November 2013.’ An extensive planning process was undertaken to identify transportation system issues in the CIRC Alternatives Study Area.’ ‘
The Task Force arrived at consensus on 34 projects with an estimated total implementation cost of $99 million.’ The Phase I and II implementation projects were approved for inclusion in the VTrans Capital Program by the Legislature in the 2012 and 2013 sessions.’ ‘
‘The first phase of these projects is already being designed and engineered, and will be constructed in the coming years,’ said Sec. Searles. ‘These transportation improvements will bring relief from congestion and improve mobility in this corridor.’’ ‘
The CIRC Alternatives Task Force voted unanimously on Nov. 21.’ The disposition of the implementation projects will be managed by VTrans with assistance from the CCRPC and the municipalities of Colchester, Essex, Essex Junction, and Williston, along with CCTA.
CIRC Study Area Maps
CIRC ~ A-B Study Area Map ~ (11Ã 17 ‘ 1.4 mB)
CIRC Alternatives Projects ~ Regional Map ~ (44Ã 34 ‘ 9.3 mB)
CIRC ~ Alternative Projects ~ Colchester Map ~ (11Ã 17 ‘ 0.8 mB)
CIRC ~ Alternative Projects ~ Essex Map ~ (11Ã 17 ‘ 0.8 mB)
CIRC ~ Alternative Projects ~ Essex Junction Map ~ (11Ã 17 ‘ 0.8 mB)
CIRC ~ Alternative Projects ~ Williston Map ~ (11Ã 17 ‘ 0.8 mB)
Map of Circ Alternatives Phase 1 Implementation Priorities
Map of Circ Alternatives Phase 1 Planning Projects (with 2010 AADT)
Map of Predicted Change in 2010 PM Peak Hour Traffic Volumes for Full Circumferential Highway ~ DRAFT
Information regarding the history of the process, the projects, the Task Force, and updates regarding projects can be found at the CIRC Alternatives Website:
http://www.ccrpcvt.org/transportation/corridors/circ-alternatives-task-f...
Source: Governor's office. 11.26.2013