MONTPELIER – The city has completed a number of road, water, and sewer projects this year, with more underway or planned for the coming months and into 2027.
Road and utility work are often coordinated, Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Kurt Motyka told The Bridge. The city has a 20-year plan for replacing water pipes and a five-year pavement plan and tries to schedule road paving around planned utility work when possible, he said. Sometimes, Motyka said, the city will use a shorter-term paving treatment if a water main replacement is still several years away.
The city has recorded 21 water main leaks since Jan. 1, according to Motyka. Three were related to construction activity. The Public Works Department keeps a running list of water main breaks and reports the annual total to the state at the end of each calendar year.
Here’s the breakdown:
Water Projects
Completed this year
- Berlin Street: Sewer main replacement was completed and the road was reopened Sept. 4.
- Walker Terrace: The city completed a water project, then installed new curbs and repaved the road.
- Siphon lining: The city lined two sewer siphons — specialized pipe systems that use gravity and pressure to move wastewater across or beneath obstacles — one near Bailey Avenue in proximity to the Winooski River, and another behind Aubuchon Hardware store along the North Branch River. The work increases sewer capacity and helps protect the lines from corrosion. There was no impact to the public.
Underway
- Lower State Street: A water main replacement is underway between Bailey Avenue and Graves Street. The project will involve occasional one-way traffic and short water-service interruptions as services are transferred first to a temporary water main and then to the permanent main.
Upcoming
- Stream stabilization: The city expects to stabilize an eroding streambank near Gateway Park this fall, pending final permitting. The streambank is getting close to a sewer force main, so the project will involve excavating and reinforcing the bank. No impact to the public is expected.
Road and Paving Work
Completed this year
- Colonial Drive, Hillcrest Drive, Longmeadow Drive, Pitkin Court (the lot behind City Hall), Forest Drive, Walker Terrace, Robin Hood Circle, Crescent Lane, and Arsenal Drive.
Underway
- Elm Street: The water project between State and Spring streets is complete, and the city is now finishing the sidewalks and paving. Traffic impacts are expected, with one lane maintained when possible and detours needed at times while sidewalks and curbs are replaced. The current schedule includes the first paving during the week of Sept. 21; removal of curb and sidewalk the week of Sept. 28; adjusting utility structures and resetting the granite curb during the week of Oct. 5; concrete work, expected to take about two weeks, the week of Oct. 12; and final paving the week of Oct. 26.
- Sabin Street, Summit Street, Tracy Street, Woodrow Avenue, Charles Street, Center Street, Foster Street, Edwards Street, and Kemp Avenue: All are under construction and roughly halfway done, with sidewalks and paving either in progress or left to do.
Upcoming
- East State Street: The project would completely reconstruct East State Street from Main Street to College Street, including new utilities, roadway, sidewalks, and street lights. The city hopes to put the project out to bid next month, with construction potentially beginning next spring.
- Granite Street culvert: A roughly $100,000 grant-funded culvert-lining project is planned for this year, likely in October. The work will require excavation and could cause some traffic impacts.
Other Projects
Completed or underway
- Dog River Recreation Area: The field was reconstructed this year with about $300,000 in FEMA funding. The work included regrading the field and installing new lighting.
- Main and State streets traffic signals: Some work remains, but no further traffic impacts are expected.
Upcoming
- Rialto Bridge: The state plans to begin soil investigation work for the bridge on State Street this week, with parking between Main and Elm streets blocked Sept. 8 and 9.
Projects in Design
- Wastewater treatment plant: An upgrade is in the design phase.
- North Street culverts: FEMA-funded culvert work is in design, with construction potentially beginning next year.
- City Hall/fire station: A FEMA-funded reconstruction project is in design.
- Other FEMA projects: The city has several additional FEMA-funded projects in various stages of design.
