If you have happened to be on West Shore Road going south from Walden, you'll notice that we have a speed cart in front of Mike and Barbara Pupino's.  It's on their property, opposite from the speed limit sign (30 mph), but quite visible.  I haven't talked to Ray Rouleau yet, but I'm hoping they will leave it in place for at least a few weeks.  There is a chance, according to the work update below, the bridge will be open ahead of schedule, but there will still be one-way traffic after Aug. 2 until it can be fully open, and that could mean we'll still have considerably more traffic on West Shore Road than normal for a while.  I'm glad we got it, even though it's later than we had hoped.

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Work Update
Walden Bridge Replacement –VT 15
Walden BRF030-3 (5)

Project Location:  Bridge 83 is located on VT 15 in Walden over Joe’s Brook approximately 5 miles southeasterly of the Hardwick/Walden town line. 

BRIDGE 83 ON VT 15 IS CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC THRU AUGUST 2, 2015.  THE DETOUR BELOW IS IN EFFECT UNTIL THE BRIDGE IS REOPENED. 

Detour - A traffic detour is in effect and marked with directional signs. 

·         Motorists wanting to travel to Hardwick on VT 15 from US 2 West will continue on US 2 West to VT 215 in Marshfield and follow VT 215 to VT 15 in Walden.

·         Motorists traveling from VT 15 in Walden to US 2 East will take VT 215 to Marshfield to US 2 East.

Construction Schedule Update - Construction of the new bridge is ahead of schedule as of Thursday, July 30, 2015.  However, there are some weather sensitive tasks that need to be completed before the bridge can be opened.  If the work is completed and the bridge is opened earlier than scheduled, an announcement will be sent out as soon as possible after the opening.

  

Week of August 3, 2105

 The week of July 27^th, 2015, crews applied the bridge membrane, installed guardrail and paved.

Week of August 3^rd, 2015 – Crews will install asphalt bridge joints, line stripe and place gravel material on TH 55. Traffic will be reduced to one-lane on each end of the bridge during work hours throughout the week.  Flaggers will be present to assist in maintaining traffic control.  

Traffic delays are expected during the closure period while the detour is in effect. Motorists are encouraged to allow for extra time and plan accordingly.
 

Contact Francine Perkins, Project Outreach Coordinator, at 802-479-6994 with questions.  Visit www.roadworkupdates.com to view the most recent updates for the project.

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We were at Hastings this morning and learned that Jane Larrabee has had an operation to insert a couple of mechanisms to assist her heart.  Garey said she's doing very well and should be home in a day or so.  She's determined she's going to prove the doctors in Boston wrong, and we sure hope she can do it.  I saw her at a meeting on Monday and she was doing pretty well, but we're all hoping these gadgets (a defibrillator and a pace maker, I think Garey told Fred) will allow her to be more comfortable.

St. Johnsbury has most of the paving done so we don't have to dodge manholes as much.  There are some spots still to be done, but looks like they'll have it all finished before snow falls.  I know, we aren't ready to face snow quite yet, but we're almost into August and things begin to change after that.  Don't forget that Danville Fair is on the 7th and 8th, and the JPA Cocktail Party is on the 9th.  Our final JPA meeting is on August 22 and then summer's over, at least for JPA events, although the pavilion may have an event or two into September.