Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship
WINOOSKI – It’s been a long time coming. The product of over a decade of planning and three years of construction, Winooski’s $28.3 million Main Street revitalization is substantially complete. Mayor Thomas Renner, state officials and community members celebrated the improvements to the busy corridor at a ribbon cutting Sept. 30.
The project, which began construction in the spring of 2024, aimed to beautify Winooski’s Main Street and replace decrepit sewer and water pipes buried underneath the roadway.
Some of the pipes underneath Main Street were more than 100 years old, some were degraded, and overall were no longer fit for the size of Winooski. This project upgraded nearly 19,000 feet of underground water, sewer, stormwater and drainage infrastructure. For the first time, when stormwater reaches Winooski’s river, it will be properly treated beforehand.
“That’s a real win for the river, and everyone downstream. Nobody cuts a ribbon for a sewer pipe, but this is the work that lets the city grow,” said Misty Sinsigalli, commissioner for the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.
The project called for the rebuilding of nearly 4,000 feet of Main Street, planting of 132 new trees and installation of new pavers, granite cobbles, bricks and 92 streetlights. It also called for two new traffic signal systems in an effort to improve safety and traffic flow.
While most of the work is done, some items on the list have not been completed and are expected to be wrapped up this fall, pending final approvals, according to Paul Sarne, communications director for Winooski. The remaining work includes fixing pavers, tree work and traffic signal work.
The work has an impact beyond Winooski, according to Joe Flynn, secretary of the Vermont Agency of Transportation.
“What happens here in Winooski matters well beyond the city limits. This is a corridor that connects people to their homes, jobs, businesses and to the communities around them every single day,” he said.
While the improvements are significant, the length and intensity of the construction process caused serious inconveniences for residents, business owners and anyone passing through Winooski.
In August 2026, city resident Diana Hanks posted on Front Porch Forum to air her grievances about the length of the project and a lack of information from those in charge.
“When is this Exit 16 project, and the Winooski Main St. actually going to be done? The information on it just repeats week after week, saying the same thing,” wrote Hanks.
Hanks expressed frustration at the prospect of continued traffic disruptions in the future when contacted for further comment.
“I know my patience is fading,” she said via email.
Business owners have also experienced setbacks, with construction slowing down business and keeping foot traffic away from restaurants and stores.
Renner thanked Winooski’s business owners for their patience and sympathized with their frustration at the construction process. He felt it too.
“It was like day two of construction, I turned onto Main Street and swore because I was shocked at what it looked like… and the business community felt it so deeply,” Renner said. “But what is so unique to Winooski is that they really banded together and they stayed strong and they helped each other out. The city immediately jumped on, trying to find out ways that we can help them.”
While the construction caused annoyances, the payoff will be well worth it, according to Chris Saunders, federal co-chair of the Northern Border Regional Commission.
“Communities that are choosing to invest in themselves, like Winooski, are really ahead of the game… You didn’t need to drive down this road or turn on the news to know… about the impact of this project. It’s definitely highly visible. Successful projects create a knock on effect,” Saunders said.
The construction project was funded through a mix of local, state and federal sources, including a voter-approved city bond. The Department of Environmental Conservation provided about $777,000 for planning and design, and the project cost about $28.3 million in total.