[S]outh Burlington officials are moving forward with plans to build a pedestrian and cyclist bridge across the south side of Interstate 89 near the point where busy Exit 14 meets Williston Road.
The city will submit a federal grant application for the project later this month.
The $14 million bridge was selected by city councilors in June over alternative proposals, including a gondola to transport people over the interstate, a north-side bridge or widening the current roadway.
Council Vice Chair Meaghan Emery said the bridge will be a huge asset for the region and serve as a safe connection for alternative transportation between Burlington and South Burlington.
“I think that this has tremendous grassroots support here in the city,” she said.
The bridge aligns with South Burlington’s city center project and plans to further develop pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure. A future bike path running parallel to Route 2, also known as Williston Road, is expected to connect with it.
The project aims to address a currently hazardous, high-traffic corridor, particularly for alternative transportation. There are currently eight off and on ramps and six lanes of traffic adjacent to east and westbound bike lanes.
“For me it is full of hazards, you have to be very aware of your surroundings, you have to be looking in about five different directions because there’s so much traffic going in and out of the intersections,” Emery said.
A user survey commissioned by the city and the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission found that 78% of respondents were very uncomfortable with walking or biking across the current bridge where Route 2 traverses I-89. The survey also found 73% of respondents said crossing the bridge deters them from travelling to destinations on the other end.
Ilona Blanchard, South Burlington’s project director, said Williston Road has an extremely high crash rate for Vermont. From 2010 to 2014 at Route 2 and Dorset Street, 106 crashes and 10 injuries occurred in the vicinity.
The city is currently analyzing data from the new study to see what crash data can be specifically linked to the current bridge.
Emery said currently only the “bravest of the brave” commute by bike to Burlington via the corridor.
“I tried once and I decided not to do it again, it just didn’t at all feel bike friendly, especially the bridge,” she said.
The project will create a new connection for those commuting from South Burlington to the nearby University of Vermont.
“We support any project that can improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists on their way to and from our campus,” said UVM spokesperson Enrique Corredera.
Local Motion, a bike and walk advocacy organization, endorsed the project and sent a letter of support for the grant application.
“It’s a problem that needed to be solved for an awful long time, it’s something that kind of cuts those communities apart for anything other than a car,” said Karen Yacos, the executive director.
Yacos said many people “absolutely refuse” to cross the current bridge on a bike.
“I think it discourages a lot of people who might bike on other roads from even considering it, because it’s stressful and not easy for some people,” she said.
Transforming the Route 2 corridor has been in the city’s plans since 2004. Councilors settled on the new south side bridge, as it was the least costly and most feasible option for construction.
Blanchard said the gondolas were thoroughly considered, but would have needed to close for adverse weather and likely at night as well. That made the option impractical.
Most of the project would be funded through a $10.6 million infrastructure grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The city’s 25% share of the cost would be covered through $3.4 million in tax increment financing.
The city also applied for federal funding last year and was unsuccessful. The results this time around for the highly competitive grant are expected for November. If approved, the project will go through a public review process and take three to five years.
Blanchard said the project has been well prepared and has a good chance at winning the grant.
“This is a fantastic project,” she said. “We will apply and will continue to apply for funding until we receive money, because it’s a project with regional importance, so it’s a good fit for this program.”
