Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship, for The Winooski News
WINOOSKI — The Burlington-Winooski Bridge is getting a long-needed replacement.
The bridge, built in 1928, does not meet contemporary design or safety standards for the 25,000 vehicles and 800 pedestrians who cross it every day, according to the Vermont Department of Transportation.
The project, which is expected to cost between $70-80 million, has secured more than half of that in federal grants. With the grist of the fundraising secured, the project team is now focusing on public outreach and communication to ensure a smooth process for all involved.
On Wednesday, April 29, the City of Winooski hosted an open house for the project at JFK Elementary School. The event aimed to spread awareness about the project and offer the public an opportunity to provide feedback that will mold the project.
The green space, directly to the north of the bridge on the Winooski side, will have to be reimagined due to upheaval from the construction. The open house featured possible renderings for the space’s future. Attendees posted sticky notes with suggestions on each potential space and ranked the options using a feeling thermometer.
“We really want to hear from the community; what would make folks use those spaces more,” Winooski Community Services Director Ray Coffey said.
With the project set to break ground in late 2027 plans are still in their infancy. Coffey says redesign aspects — such as the amount of trees, benches and public art displays — are still being decided upon, with community opinion heavily weighed. Bridge and park construction should wrap up by 2030.
One thing the project team is clear on is an 88-grade bike path to allow easy access from Main Street to the River Walk. The patio on the south side of the bridge isn’t expected to change much, though the team said they’re open to new ideas.
“The only thing that we are kind of married to, if you will, is having a path through the park to connect that under the bridge path back up to street level,” said Josh Olund, the consultant project manager who works for HNTB.
HNTB, a New England-based infrastructure project consulting firm, was hired by the state to aid with bridge construction. The corporation is doing most of the heavy lifting in regards to community outreach.
They brought on a community liaison, Tim Cece, who is in charge of sharing construction time tables with local businesses affected by the project, along with utilizing their feedback to shape the project.
According to Olund, HNTB has already used public input to narrow down options for lighting, railing and path design.
“Through that public input, we’ve narrowed it down to only a few options. Same thing we’re gonna do here with the public park,” Olund said.
Erin Robinson, a Winooski resident and engineer, said she’s on board with the project.
“When I walk underneath the bridge, I am absolutely terrified because it’s so decrepit right now,” Robinson said.
Sue O’Brien has been the manager of the Winooski Gardening Group since 1996, the volunteer organization in charge of plant upkeep of the green space north of the bridge. At the open house, she said she’s in favor of the project.
“I think it’s a necessary project,” she said, “and I think it’s great that they’re getting people’s input.”