Submitted by tim
on
VTrans photo of the west side the drawbridge prior to beginning demolition next week.
Drawbridge Replacement, US Route 2, drawbridge connecting North Hero and Grand Isle
Vermont Business Magazine US Route 2 at the temporary drawbridge is open to two lanes of traffic. The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) expects intermittent stops and releases of traffic by flaggers to allow for construction vehicles to enter the work zone. The contractor is working 7AM to 6PM, Monday through Thursday, and 7AM to noon this Friday. There will be no work on Labor Day, and construction will resume Tuesday morning. Demolition of the old bridge is expected next week.
The temporary bridge has a speed limit of 25 mph. 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: A subcontractor is completing subsurface investigations to classify and profile the soil on site. This work will continue for the next few weeks. The demolition contractor is performing clean up activities on the east side of the bridge, and will then mobilize to the west side of the bridge to begin demolition.
Source: VTrans. North Hero. 8/29/19