By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — Commuters and local Springfield residents will need to consider alternate routes if they are planning on taking Route 11 this summer, as a culvert replacement project will cause the road to be closed for 40 days.
According to the Vermont Agency of Transportation, between July 4 and as late as Aug. 18, Vermont Route 11 will be closed. Lane and shoulder closures are expected before and after the closure, as well. Pedestrian access will be open through the working area, and there will be a local, car only detour on Park Street. Trucks will be re-routed along Vermont Route 106, Route 10 and Route 103.
“The Springfield BF 0134(49) project is located on VT 11 in Springfield, Vermont, approximately 0.28 miles from the intersection with Vermont Route 106 and just west of the intersection with Fairground Road. It includes the replacement of a culvert (Bridge No. 61) over the Unnamed Brook along with associated roadway and channel work.”
The Springfield Police Department posted graphics of the traffic detours and information about the project on social media, with residents expressing frustration. One resident said speeding through neighborhoods with children could result. Another resident felt this could create more traffic on Fairground Heights, as well as through intersections of Park and Main Streets, and Route 106 and Route 11. Another comment said, “it’s going to be a very bumpy ride but so necessary.”
Highway Superintendent Ben Moffit said on Wednesday that this is a state project and does not have to do with the town. Town Manager Jeff Mobus and Public Works Director Jeff Strong were unavailable for comments.
Information has been requested from the Vermont Agency of Transportation about the timeline of the project, the company responsible for construction, and concerns presented by the public.
The project has a projected fall 2025 completion date. The agency has scheduled a public meeting about the scope of the project and the impact it has. It will also go over the schedule and what can be expected during the construction process.
The “hybrid meeting” offers participants the ability to attend in person at the Selectboard meeting on the third floor of Springfield Town Hall, or through Zoom. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 14.
