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North Hero temp drawbridge open to two lanes

Submitted by tim on
DATE: Thursday, 8/15/19
 
PROJECT TYPE: Drawbridge Replacement
 
LOCATION: US Route 2, drawbridge connecting North Hero and Grand Isle
 
TRAFFIC IMPACT: US Route 2 at the temporary drawbridge is open to two lanes of traffic. Please expect intermittent stops and releases of traffic by flaggers to allow for construction vehicles to enter the work zone. The contractor is currently working 7AM to 6PM, Monday through Thursday, and 7AM to 1PM on Fridays. No weekend work is scheduled at this time.
 
The temporary bridge has a speed limit of 25mph. There are tight curves approaching the temporary bridge, and trucks are advised to reduce speed to 15mph. Bicycles should use caution while crossing the bridge.
 
The work zone speed limit is enforced, and individuals have been ticketed for excessive speeding. Obeying the speed limit is extremely important for everyone's safety.
 
NOTICE TO MARINERS: The temporary drawbridge is opening on the top of the hour between 8 AM and 8 PM, 7 days per week, until October 15, 2019. An update for this boating season includes a reduction in channel width to 40 feet at the drawbridge location.
 
The existing bridge is left in the open position. Mariners can request drawbridge openings by the bridge tender on Channel 13 or at 802-372-4360. The bridge will not open unless a request is made.
 
Smaller vessels are reminded to be aware of the Coast Guard Safety Zone. It is important not to linger within this zone for your own safety. 
 
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES:  Cianbro will be completing scheduled, monthly maintenance today. A subcontractor will be completing subsurface investigations to classify and profile the soil on site through next week. Demolition of the existing bridge will also resume next week.
 
Below is a recent VTrans photo of work at the drawbridge:
Drawbirdge Facts

The temporary drawbridge is opening on the top of the hour between 8 AM and 8 PM, 7 days per week, until October 15, 2019. An update for this boating season includes a reduction in channel width to 40 feet at the drawbridge location.

The existing bridge is left in the open position. Mariners can request drawbridge openings by the bridge tender on Channel 13 or at 802-372-4360. The bridge will not open unless a request is made.

The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) is replacing Bridge 8 on US 2 between the towns of North Hero and Grand Isle, Vermont. This drawbridge is a historic twin leaf bascule bridge, and the only vehicular movable bridge in the State of Vermont. Construction began in June 2018 and the estimated completion date is in 2022. The contractor will build a temporary drawbridge prior to replacing the existing drawbridge so that impacts to vehicular traffic are minimized.

Traffic Phasing Milestones:
  • July to August 2018: one-lane, two-way traffic on the existing drawbridge
  • August 2018 to May 2019: two lane, two-way traffic on the existing drawbridge
  • May 2019 to May 2021:  two lane, two-way traffic on the temporary drawbridge
  • May to September 2021: two lane, two-way traffic on the new drawbridge
  • September 2021: one-lane, two-way traffic on the new drawbridge
  • October 2021:  two lane, two-way traffic on the new drawbridge

For more information on construction updates at the drawbridge, click here.

The North Hero – Grand Isle drawbridge will operate on a steady schedule; opening on the top of the hour between 8 AM and 8 PM, 7 days per week, from May 15 thru October 15, 2018. The drawbridge will be greased weekly on Monday mornings, requiring the bridge to be open between 6 AM and 6:30 AM every Monday.