Route 15 Bridge Opens Early!

Good news!  The bridge on Route 15 in Walden is open for traffic two days early!  Here is the official report:
 

BRIDGE OPENED – 2 DAYS EARLY

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. 

Walden Bridge Re-Opens 2-Days Early

July 31, 2015 – Bridge 83 located on VT 15 in Walden opened to all traffic this afternoon, 2-days ahead of schedule.  The bridge closed on July 6^th, 2015 to all traffic and was scheduled to remain closed until Sunday, August 2, 2015.  

During the closure period, crews dismantled and removed the old bridge and constructed the new bridge using Accelerated Bridge Construction methods.  Work to replace the bridge included placing new concrete footings and abutments, a new bridge deck using prestressed concrete NEXT D Beams and guardrail.  The roadway approaches were also reconstructed and paved.  This is a photograph of the new bridge just after it was opened to traffic this afternoon.

Construction is scheduled to continue on the bridge through the end of August.  However, the contractor has until October to complete the project. 

Remaining work on the project includes line striping, site restoration and miscellaneous punch list items.  While crews work to complete the project, travel will be reduced to one lane over the bridge daily with flaggers assisting in maintaining traffic flow. 

Motorists can expect traffic delays from daily lane closures on the bridge as crews work to complete the project.

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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Around 11:30 this morning, as I was driving to Danville, I noticed the detour signs were tipped over in the grass.  Now I understand that was on purpose.  This is great news for those of us living on West Shore Road - although traffic still seems to be streaming through here in both directions, that's probably because people who have regularly used this road instead of the prescribed detour route through Marshfield and Cabot, wouldn't believe the signs were intentionally down - like me, they probably thought they had been tipped over by wind or vandals.  These projects NEVER finish on time, let alone early!  Except this one apparently has.  One-way traffic will be maintained for another month or so, but that is no problem.  The really good news is that West Shore Road should return to something close to "normal" traffic.