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Northfield Street Reconstruction & Montpelier Paving Projects

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1. What is being done during this project?

A whole lot! There will be new water and sewer mains and services (better water pressure) sidewalk replacement and extension (you will actually be able to walk side by side with your neighbor), addition of a 5 foot bike lane (go green!), as well as street reconstruction and resurfacing (happy and healthy tires).

2. With the state paving scheduled for the fall, will the City’s reconstruction project meet up with the State project in the fall?

No, the two projects will not join together in the fall. They will however join together in the spring of 2018 when the State of Vermont’s paving contractor finishes up their contract. Paving for Northfield Street will be done in two layers. The first layer of pavement will be done in the fall of 2017. In 2018, VTrans (the State) will return to apply the 2nd course of pavement to Northfield Street. At the same time, they will cold plane off the existing pavement at the Memorial Drive Intersection and pave up to the where they had left off in 2017. Cold planing essentially grinds off the top of the existing uneven surface and leaves a solid base for new pavement to be placed on top.

3. Can you elaborate on the two different layers of pavement?

The first layer of pavement, known as the “base course” will be placed in the fall of 2017. This layer will be 3.5 inches thick and will remain for the winter. The 2nd layer, known as the “wearing course” is 1.5 inches thick and will be placed in the spring of 2018.

4. Are both paving projects being done by the State?

Yes, the State of Vermont’s paving contractor will be responsible for both paving projects.

5. What does a typical road look like now, what will it look like after reconstruction? Width of travel lane?

The current road varies from approximately 24 to 27 feet, with a typical lane width of 11-12 feet and 2-3 foot shoulders on each side. The proposed road will be 27 feet, with a typical lane width of 10 feet, a 5 foot wide bike lane on one side, and a 2 foot shoulder on the opposite side of the bike lane.

6. How wide will the sidewalk be?

The sidewalk will be 5 feet wide.

7. What are the driving detours?

Dog River Road will be designated as an alternative detour route. Motorists wishing to access the downtown area or Route 12 can use Memorial Drive. National Life Drive will also be designated as an alternative route. It is expected that traffic may use National Life Drive as detour during different phases of construction.

8. How will traffic be managed?

Northfield Street will be open to local traffic only. During construction operations, traffic will be managed by using a sign package (signs directing pedestrians as well as motorists) and traffic control flagging staff. At night the road will re-open to two-way traffic. Dog River Road will be designated as an alternative route. A uniform traffic control officer and flagging staff are expected to be needed at the Intersection of Dog River Road and the Memorial Drive access ramps. National Life Drive will also be designated as an alternative route. Traffic may use National Life Drive to access Northfield Street. We also intend to use 2 electronic signs. One will be placed at the intersection of Dog River Road and Route 12. The other will be placed at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Route 12.

9. How will property owners be able to reach their homes?

There will be one-way, alternating through traffic for home owners during the day, and traffic will be re-opened to two-way in the evening. There will be certain times where access to and from houses may be restricted. This may occur when the contractor is pouring concrete sidewalk or installing services. The contractor will either construct half of the drive at a time or they may plate over the sidewalk to create a bridge for vehicles to pass over. Notice will be given ahead of time in the event the access will be restricted and parking will be made available.

10. Will clients be able to access parking on my property?

Yes. The contractor will be responsible for maintaining access to your business. Any person seeking special accommodations for this project should contact Zach Blodgett with the Department of Public Works at zblodgett@montpelier-vt.org or call 802-223-9508.

11. Can there be on-demand lights notifying drivers that there are pedestrians at the crosswalk?

The State of Vermont was asked to include on-demand lights in the paving project, but because it does not fall within their recommended criteria, VTrans will not cover the cost associated with this. Therefore, the City is looking into how to do this.

12. From what time to what time, and how many days a week will the reconstruction take place?

The typical construction day is expected to take place Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Work may occur until 9:00 PM per the City Noise ordinance.

13. How will traffic be affected on Derby Drive?

It is unknown at this time how detouring traffic will affect Derby Drive.

14. What about the big, heavy trucks? Will those go on Derby drive?

Yes, big and heavy trucks will be allowed to travel on Derby Drive. Truck traffic may still choose to use the Dog River Road alternative route.

15. How much is the bike lane costing the city? Will it be on both sides of the street?

There will only be one bike lane in the up-hill lane heading south. Heading north, the travel lane will be marked for bicyclists to share the lane with motorists. The exact cost of the bike lane is unknown. There are some minor road alignments and stormwater upgrades that are necessary to fit the bike lane. It is estimated that the cost of the bike lane is approximately $25,000. (Estimate does not include costs for road re-alignment/widening or storm water permits)

16. Explain temporary water line.

The temporary water line provides residents with water until the new water main can be tested and put into operation. The temporary water line will be an 8 foot line that will be laid on top of the ground and dug underneath driveways for residents to maintain access. Additionally there will be a short section of 1 inch temporary line needed to provide water to some customers.

17. How will water pressure be affected? Will the new system’s pressure make the old pipes at Independence Green/Colonial Drive burst?

Water pressure will be significantly better during periods of high flow such as hydrant flushing. The old pipes at Independence Green and Colonial Drive should not be affected.

18. Will we be without water service? For how long?

Water service may be out for a few hours at a time. Unless there is an emergency, property owners will have at least 24 hour notice.

19. While we’re doing this project, can we put utility/power lines underground?

No. That would be a multi-year, multi-million dollar project. For more information on this, contact Tom McArdle, Director of Public Works at tmcardle@montpelier-vt.org.

20. Why can’t we put conduits underground so that we can put the power lines underground in the future?

No conduits will be placed underground without final design plans. This has been done in the past and they were not used, so we will not place anything down for potential future use.

21. What will the pedestrian route look like?

The contractor will provide the detour. The detour will be in accordance with ADA requirements. The exact locations of the pedestrian detour are unknown at this time. The pedestrian detour will likely change throughout the project as different construction operations occur. There will be signs with instructions to pedestrians who are traveling through or around the construction area.

22. Will the pedestrian detour be far from Northfield Street?

No, the pedestrian detour will be on Northfield Street. The contractor will have to maintain access throughout the construction site.

23. What will be done about stormwater management/treatment?

Our engineering design consultant is currently looking into ways to manage/treat stormwater. A state stormwater permit is necessary, so it is expected that there will be a few areas where stormwater will be treated. Exact locations are unknown at this point. Additionally, a crown in the roadway will be re-created, allowing for the stormwater to get to curb line and collected by a catch basin. There are new catch basins that will be installed as part of this project.

24. Are there any eminent domain issues?

No, there are no issues with eminent domain.

25. The current sidewalk has been eaten up by vegetation, what will be done to prevent it from happening this time?

An annual inspection of the stormwater system will be required for state permitting and the sidewalk will be included in this inspection. Any maintenance items will be noted and corrected.

26. The slope near the T.W. Wood house is causing rocks and debris to go onto the road/sidewalk. What will be done about this? Retaining wall?

A site visit was conducted with the State of Vermont Geotechnical Engineering Section and an evaluation was provided to the City. It was recommended that a chain link fence be installed immediately to prevent further rocks/debris from entering the sidewalk (This work has already been completed). Additionally it was noted that trees should be cut along the slope to prevent further damage from occurring. We are currently working on lining up a contractor to perform this work. Work should be complete in the next few weeks. For the long term course of action, it was recommended that a consultant who specializes in rock slope stability conduct an in-depth rock stability analysis to determine the most appropriate and cost effective remediation. This work will be completed after the Northfield Street reconstruction project. The fence will remain until further assessment and action can be taken.

27. Where will the crosswalks be?

Crosswalk locations will include: The midblock crossing near 56 Northfield Street, Derby Drive, Both Colonial Drives, and a future crosswalk at independence green.

28. When will there be a sidewalk extending to Freedom Drive?

We have already secured funding through grants for this project, which will begin in 2018. Woohoo!

29. Will any trees be removed? Pine tree by crosswalk?

This is something we are looking into. There is one tree that we believe should be removed and this is something to be discussed with the property owner.

30. How high are the retaining walls? What are they made of?

Currently the city is looking into options to avoid having to install the retaining walls. If needed, the retaining walls will be between 3 and 4.5 feet in height.

31. Gravel and rock from driveways spill down Northfield Street to Prospect Street during storm events. What can be done about this?

This is really up to property owners to manage the gravel and rock from their driveways. The city is looking into roadway re-alignment to minimize the construction of the new walls.

32. Where will the staging area be?

The staging will be the responsibility of the contractor. If the contractor would like to use private property, they must make arrangement with individual property owners.

33. Already, it’s difficult to drive up/down Northfield Street during winter storm, what will we do with the narrower roads?

Much of the difficultly that is experienced with driving Northfield Street in the winter, is due to poor condition of the roadway. Due to extremely poor condition, it makes it virtually impossible for public works crews to perform effective winter operations. Once the road is re-surfaced it should make it much easier for public works crews to keep and maintain the width during the winter.

34. Why are we using concrete on some stretches of sidewalk, and asphalt on other?

We followed the current zoning regulations which have the concrete sidewalk transitioning to asphalt at the Derby/ Colonial Intersection. The zoning regulations define the areas along a particular street that should have sidewalk and specify the material that it should be constructed of. We considered extending the concrete sidewalk to southern most Colonial Drive intersection, but the cost was too high based on the budget numbers that we have.

35. Will we be reusing granite curbing?

We will reuse granite as much as we can. Reusing the existing granite curb will save money when you compare it to the price to purchase and deliver new granite curb.

36. How will we receive communication?

Communication with our residents is a top priority for these projects. We’re working with Natalie Boyle of EIV Technical Services who will be the project outreach coordinator consultant for the project. Her role is to act as a project liaison between the public, contractors, field personnel and any third parties who may be involved in the project. Natalie will be sending e-mail updates to local businesses, and will provide Weekly Construction Updates on her website (see Important Links). In addition, Montpelier Alive will be working closely with the Montpelier Business Association to provide information to local business. The public can also visit the Department of Public Works’ website for updates and sign up for notifications via our Notify Me system. City of Montpelier staff are committed to offering reliable information to the public regarding project updates and notices.