The North Hero – Grand Isle drawbridge on US Route 2 is operating on a steady schedule; opening on the top of the hour between 8 AM and 8 PM, 7 days per week, from May 16 thru October 15, 2016.
The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) has the opportunity to replace BR 8 on US 2 between the towns of North Hero and Grand Isle, Vermont. BR 8 ((North Hero-Grand Isle BHF 028-1(26) Bridge) is a historic twin leaf bascule bridge, and the only vehicular movable bridge in the State of Vermont.
VTrans has contracted the HDR Engineering team to assist with developing the project’s design. The preferred alternative for the bridge replacement is a new twin leaf bascule structure on the existing alignment (Alternative II – Option A). The full scoping report and renderings of the preferred alternative is posted within the document library page of this website. The next public information meeting to discuss the preferred alternative and progress of the current design is November 15, 2016 at 6 PM at the North Hero Elementary School gymnasium.
Project Milestones:
- Final Scoping Report – May 2015
- Public Informational Meeting – January 12, 2016
- Preliminary Plans – September 2016
- Public Informational Meeting – November 15, 2016
- Final Plans – 2017
- Construction – 2018
The project will be contracted following the Construction Manager / General Contractor (CMGC) process. The selected contractor to work with the HDR Engineering team through the design phase is Cianbro Corporation. The CMGC process is different than a traditional design-bid-build in the way that the contractor is awarded in two separate phases. Phase 1 – the contractor performs a construction management service during the design phase of a project. This is helpful for the success of projects that require specialized construction methods and services. Phase 2 – the contractor is contracted for general construction services to construct the project.