Scoping Study. Engineering investigations and scoping study to explore alternatives for improving traffic movement on and adjacent to Interstate 89, particularly the southbound off ramp and extending along VT 2A to the intersection with US Route 2. Site concerns included excessive queuing of cars on southbound I-89 due to inadequate intersection capacity and traffic movement along VT 2A to US 2. The study followed the VTrans Project Development Process including close coordination with VTrans, the regional Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization (CCMPO), Town of Williston, and FHWA.

Final Design. Design and environmental services through contract documents for improvements to the I-89 Exit 12 southbound off-ramp and the intersection with VT 2A. The selected alternative from the scoping study was the addition of a left turn lane onto the off-ramp to improve safety conditions on ramp. In addition, new loop detectors were placed on the ramp close to the intersection, as well as at the beginning of the ramp, just off the mainline. The loop detectors at the beginning of the ramp are connected to a “Ramp Traffic Stopped Ahead When Flashing” sign and flashing beacons on the mainline when the ramp is backed up.

Other improvements included guardrail replacement, new roadway signs including new overhead sign assembly, and other incidental items. In addition, plans included details for a new concrete pad to be placed on southbound I-89 north of Exit 12, to be used in the future for an amber alert dynamic message sign. All design services were completed in accordance with VTrans standards using MicroStation/InRoads. Coordination was conducted throughout the project development with VTrans.

Transportation engineering services for the installation of a new traffic signal at a “K” intersection with a long history of needing improvements. Assessed potential resource and utility impacts and prepared initial scoping report summarizing details and costs of more than a dozen different alternatives. Professional services included facilitation of public meetings to gain resident, business, local, and State input on deficiencies; traffic signal warrant analysis; contract documents for signal construction including right-of-way survey; and coordination, mapping, and identification of existing utility conflicts with public utility companies, the City of Barre, Washington County Railroad, and VTrans. Identified conflicts between existing utilities and the new traffic signal control devices (strain wires, strain poles, and traffic signal heads) and assessed buried utilities for facilitating intersection repaving. Due to close proximity of intersection to Spaulding High School, pedestrian’s needs were a key component of the intersection design.