Main Street rebuild continues into winter

According to the calendar, winter is still five weeks away, but Waterbury’s first significant storm of the season dropped 4 to 6 inches of snow Monday and Tuesday.

While many construction projects in the region are wrapping up for the season — for instance, workers this week were buttoning up a big sidewalk and utility project in Stowe — Waterbury’s Main Street reconstruction project is expected to continue well into December.

“J.A. McDonald is trying to work right up until Christmas if the weather and conditions permit,” said Barb Farr, Waterbury’s transportation liaison.

J.A. McDonald would like to meet a number of benchmarks before shutting down the project for the winter, according to Tom Mancini, project engineer for the Vermont Agency of Transportation.

“For winter shutdown, they will temporarily be paving the sidewalks in segments three and four (Park Row to just past Demeritt Place) as well as the driveways,” Mancini said.

Other goals, according to Farr, include laying down another layer of pavement between Park Row and Demeritt Place; this effort will also include side streets that have been dug up, with the overall goal of making a smooth course for snow removal throughout the winter and early spring.

Weather will be a factor in whether these benchmarks are met, Farr said.

“They are nearly at that point because, when the weather starts getting colder, it will be difficult to put down asphalt,” she said.

Farr said she expects “the sidewalks and driveway aprons will all be paved over for the winter months but will be considered temporary. They will need to dig up the asphalt for the sidewalks and install concrete next spring.”

In segment 2 — from Stowe Street to Park Row — workers will continue to bury power lines and connect the water main from Park Row to Elm Street.

Between the railroad bridge and Stowe Street — referred to, now ironically, as segment one, despite being the last section to break ground this year — J.A. McDonald is looking to complete installation of a sand filter in front of the municipal office.

“This means that, when they stop work in December, they will have completed the water, sewer and storm drains in segments two, three and four (Stowe Street to just past Demeritt Place) along the main stem and side streets,” said Farr, who expressed optimism with how the project has unfolded so far.

“Overall, the project is progressing quickly,” Farr said. “Once they close up for the winter, the streets will look good, no barrels, two lanes open the whole length, and there will be walkable sidewalks, even if temporary.”

Weekly update for Main Street

Speaking of winter, Waterbury’s winter parking ban for all of downtown goes into effect on Friday; it runs from Nov. 15 to April 15 every winter. The ban is based upon the town’s need to clear snow off the streets and is not related to construction, but this is a good time to remind people that free, off-street parking is available at 51 S. Main and in the Elm Street parking lot.

Drivers can expect to encounter delays and alternating one-way traffic between the railroad bridge and Stowe Street as J.A. McDonald continues to install a large filter in front of the municipal offices.

Farther south, residents and business owners on South Main Street between Village Market and Stowe Street can expect to lose use of their driveways as workers continue to install a water main. This work might also result in loss of water service, so keep plenty of water on hand and keep an eye out for boil notices.

Installation of stormwater drains will continue between Foundry Street and Park Row on the east side of South Main. From Park Row to just past Demeritt Place, workers will continue to clean up the site in anticipation of shutting down for the season.

Route 100

While reconstruction of Route 100 between Waterbury and Stowe is officially completed, there are still a few punch list items and repairs that need to be made in the area of Guptil Road and the Waterbury-Stowe town line related to damage from flooding on Nov. 1 and 2. Expect intermittent lane closures.

Questions: Barb Farr, 888-3810 or 244-4300, bfarr@waterburyvt.com.