Scenic VT-108 (Smugglers Notch or the Notch Road) is open for the 2025 season as of NOON on Friday, May 9, 2025. Crews are opening the gates on either side of the mountain and message boards have been illuminated indicating the reopening.
Vehicles over 40-feet and combination vehicles over 45-feet in length are NOT permitted through this section of roadway per 23 VSA § 1006b.
Motorists are advised to exercise caution and patience at the Stowe and Cambridge sides of Smugglers Notch as traffic control devices have been installed again this season. These devices, known as chicanes, recreate the configuration of the roadway geometry at the top of the Notch. The objective of the chicanes is to allow overlength vehicles the ability to turn around before causing obstructions in the Notch.
WHEN: Sunday, May 11, 2025, through Friday, May 16, 2025
WHERE: I-89 Exit 17 NB Ramps in Colchester
WHAT: Planned Ramp Closures – Project: Colchester NH 028-1(31)
Beginning Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 7:00 PM, the Interstate 89 Northbound Exit 17 off-ramp will close nightly to all traffic until Friday, May 16 at 6:00 AM. Each night, the ramp will close at 7:00 PM and reopen at 6:00 AM. The off-ramp detour will direct traffic to Exit 18, to US Route 7 south, to US Route 2 east at Chimney Corners.
Beginning Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 7:00 PM, the Interstate 89 Northbound Exit 17 on-ramp will close nightly to all traffic until Friday, May 16 at 6:00 AM. Each night, the ramp will close at 7:00 PM and reopen at 6:00 AM. The on-ramp detour will direct traffic to US Route 7 at Chimney Corners and travel approximately 9.5 miles to Exit 18.
The purpose of these closures is to facilitate the ongoing bridge construction project on US Route 2 over Interstate 89 in Colchester at Exit 17.
AOT Road Construction Report – Week of 5/12/25
Vermont Agency of Transportation This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will affect traffic on state highways and interstates throughout Vermont. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.
Interstates:
I-89 Colchester – Improvements are underway at the Exit 17 interchange. The I-89 Exit 17 northbound off-ramp will be closed at night from Sunday through Friday from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. The I-89 Exit 17 northbound on-ramp will be closed at night from Wednesday through Friday from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Traffic will be detoured via Exit 18 in Milton during the nighttime ramp closures. From Sunday at 7 p.m. to Friday at 8 p.m., I-89 will be reduced to one lane in each direction near Exit 17, except during peak hours of 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. for I-89 North and 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. for I-89 South. Motorcyclists should expect uneven gravel surfaces on the northbound off-ramp and on-ramp during the day.
I-89 Richmond – Work continues on I-89 in Richmond south of Exit 11 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists will encounter passing lane closures northbound (MM 75.45 to MM 77.0) and southbound (MM 77.29 to MM 75.71). Speed enforcement will be present, and fines will be doubled.
I-89 Royalton – Construction continues Monday through Saturday on the I-89 bridges near Exit 3. Northbound and southbound traffic is reduced to a single lane. Southbound traffic will use the travel lane, while northbound traffic crosses over the median and returns north past the bridges. The Exit 3 North off-ramp uses a crossover to the new ramp. Speed limits are 55 mph in work zones and 25 mph on the Exit 3 off-ramp. VT 107 traffic may be diverted due to bridge work, with a 30 mph speed limit and 14’ height restriction under the bridges.
I-89 Swanton-Highgate – Temporary lane closures will be in place for cold-planing operations at various locations on I-89 North beginning just north of Exit 20 and ending just south of Exit 22. Passing lane closures will also be in place on I-89 South between the Carter Hill Road overpass and Exit 21 for work on stormwater improvements in the median. A temporary speed limit reduction to 55 mph will be in place through the work zones during working hours. Motorcycles should watch for grooved and uneven surfaces.
I-91 Fairlee – Beginning approximately a quarter mile before the I-91 Exit 15 interchange, travel is reduced to a single lane in both directions and a crossover diverting southbound traffic around a bridge deck replacement project is now active. A speed limit reduction to 55 mph is in place.
State Highways:
Barre Town – Milling will continue on U.S. 302 from Orange to Topsham. Ditching will occur from Barre into Orange. There will be multiple single-lane closures with alternating one-way traffic. Temporary line striping will be applied. Motorcyclists should use caution. Expect delays.
Bennington – A roundabout project will require single-lane closures with alternating one-way traffic controlled by flaggers on VT 67A at its intersections with Silk Road/Matteson Road and College Drive from Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Brattleboro-Hinsdale – Travelers on VT/NH 119 will encounter flaggers and one-way alternating traffic patterns just east of the new bridge over the CT River in New Hampshire. When needed, flaggers may be in place on VT 142 at the 28 Vernon Street parking lot entrance.
Cambridge-Johnson – Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., motorists can expect traffic control packages to facilitate alternating one-way traffic on VT 15 between Park Street in Johnson and the VT 15/VT 108 roundabout in Cambridge. Starting on Wednesday at 7 p.m., the Park and Ride on VT 15 just east of the roundabout in Cambridge will be closed 24/7 for construction.
Chelsea-Washington – From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., milling and ditching work will continue on VT 110 from the Washington end of the project proceeding south. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic impacts and minimal delays on VT 110.
Elmore – From Monday 5/12 through Friday 5/16, the intersection of VT 12, Camp Road, and Boat Launch Road will be closed to traffic. VT 12 will remain open to traffic during the closure. Motorists should expect alternating one-way traffic on VT 12 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Flaggers will be present to assist motorists through the work zone.
Fairfax – From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., motorists should anticipate alternating one-way traffic on VT 128 starting in Fairfax and moving south towards Essex. Flaggers and Uniformed Traffic Officers will be present to assist motorists through the work zones. Motorcyclists are advised to exercise caution due to the grooved pavement surface.
Fairlee – Traffic on Lake Morey Road at Exit 15 will be reduced to one-way alternating patterns controlled by flaggers while crews work on the I-91 bridge overhead.
Hartford – Motorists should anticipate minor impacts and alternating one-way traffic on the Maple Street (north approach) side of Old Bridge #7.
Ludlow – Night milling and paving are scheduled on VT 103 from the northern Class 1 limits of the project to the Elm Street intersection. From Sunday through Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., flaggers will be present to direct one-way alternating traffic. Motorcycles should watch for grooved and uneven surfaces. Expect delays.
Marshfield-Danville – From 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., motorists should anticipate minor delays on U.S. 2 in Cabot near Danville Hill Road to the intersection with VT 15 in West Danville.
Pittsford – Motorists are traveling over the temporary bridge. Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. traffic control may be present on U.S. 7 to allow for construction vehicles in and out of the work area.
Quechee Gorge Bridge – The eastbound lane closure and one-way alternating traffic, controlled by a traffic signal, will continue until mid-season when the closure will switch sides to the westbound lane. The trail at the bridge underpass is closed through fall 2025. The adjacent trail is open via a signed detour through the visitor center.
Readsboro – On VT 100 over Deerfield River, workers will continue work on constructing the piling, footing, and reinforcing steel for the temporary bridge. One travel lane will be closed with flaggers on-site to manage traffic flow.
Richmond – Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., U.S. 2 will have minimal to no traffic interruptions.
Rutland – A Class I highway resurfacing project will require single-lane closures or alternating one-way traffic controlled by flaggers at night on U.S. 7 between Cold River Road and Lincoln Ave, U.S. BUS 4 between Ripley Road and U.S. 7, and U.S. 4 between U.S. 7 and Gleason Road from Sunday night through Friday morning from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Searsburg – On VT 9 approximately 1.1 miles west of the intersection with VT 8, workers are replacing a culvert with a bridge. A temporary roadway with a maximum lane width of 12.5 feet (total 25 feet maximum between concrete barriers) is in place. Traffic speeds are reduced to 30 mph through the work zone. Traffic enforcement will be present at times. Delays are expected.
Sheldon – From 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., motorists should anticipate alternating one-way traffic on VT 105 in Sheldon beginning at mile marker 6.0 near Kane's Scenic River Farms and moving eastward. Starting Thursday, crews will prepare the road surface for paving from mile marker 2.003 near the intersection with Mill Street in Sheldon moving eastward. Flaggers and Uniformed Traffic Officers will be present to assist motorists through the work zones. Motorcyclists are advised to exercise caution due to the grooved pavement surface.
Swanton – Toward the end of the week, VT 78 near the I-89 Exit 21 interchange will be reduced to one lane with flaggers alternating traffic while crews work off the shoulder on stormwater improvements.
Williston – A roadway resurfacing and widening project will require single-lane closures with alternating one-way traffic on Industrial Avenue, Monday through Friday, from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on VT 2A between Meadowrun Road and River Cove Road from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Independent utility work may also cause lane closures on VT 2A, including the southbound right-turn-only lane onto Industrial Avenue, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Motorists should expect significant traffic delays on weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and plan extra travel time or consider alternate routes.
Worcester – Crews will shift traffic on to the temporary bridge over the North Branch of the Winooski River on VT 12. From 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., motorists should expect alternating one-way traffic over the temporary bridge. Temporary traffic signals will control traffic through the work zone 24/7. Flaggers may also be present to assist motorists through the area.
To support vital journalism, access our archives and get unique features like our award-winning profiles, Book of Lists & Business-to-Business Directory, subscribe HERE!
