GovernorPeter Shumlin on Friday joined Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) Sec. Brian Searles and officials, legislators, local government officials and business leaders in celebrating the opening of the Morristown Alternate Truck Route. The new 1.98 mile section of VT 100 runs from near Bishop Marshall School and joins VT 15 in a new roundabout.Originally conceived in 1963, the near-$31million project is meant to alleviate serious congestion issues caused by truck traffic on the streets of Morrisville.
“This new road opens the doors to more opportunities for economic prosperity for the region,” said Gov. Shumlin. “This is a big win on many fronts. By removing the big trucks from downtown, we are giving Morrisville the space to create a more livable and desirable town center. And by opening up this new corridor, we are helping businesses bring their products to market more efficiently.”
“This project could not have happened without tireless support and dedication of many players,” said Sec. Searles. “The persistence of the Legislature and our own team here at VTrans kept this project moving through a very lengthy process. We negotiated with more than 60 landowners and worked closely with the regional planning commission, business groups and the town to make sure that this project was something of which we could all be proud.”
Winterset, Inc. of Lyndonville was the prime contractor, breaking ground in July of 2012. In addition to the roadway and main bridge, the project includes a pedestrian culvert at the Bishop Marshall School and a 178-foot-long bridge that allows the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail to traverse VT 100.
Among others attending the ribbon cutting were Sen. Richard Mazza, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Rep. Pat Brennan, chair of the House Transportation Committee, House Speaker Shap Smith, Sen. Richard Westman, and Town Administrator Dan Lindley.
Source: Shumlin's office 10.31.2014