Road Work: May 27-30
Two-year, $15 million Waterbury-Montpelier I-89 resurfacing project begins
May 23, 2025 | By Lisa Scagliotti UPDATE May 27: This post was updated below with a road closure announcement for Union Street in Waterbury planned for Wednesday, May 29.
The state Agency of Transportation has a resurfacing project starting on Interstate 89 between Montpelier and Waterbury. It is expected to be completed in 2026. Photo courtesy of VTrans
Work soon will be under way on a two-year $15.2 million resurfacing project along Interstate 89 southbound between Waterbury and Montpelier.
The 10.5-mile project will rebuild both lanes and is expected to take both this construction season and next summer, with completion anticipated by Aug. 15, 2026, according to the Vermont Agency of Transportation.
Following the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, motorists can expect lane closures between mile markers 64.2 (just north of Waterbury-Stowe Exit 10) and 52.6 (just past Montpelier Exit 8) between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
Workers will be installing construction signage approaching and throughout the project area as well as surveying.
The resurfacing will be done on the southbound lanes from mile marker 63 (.8 miles south of Exit 10) to mile marker 52.58 (one-half mile south of Exit 8). The scope will include the on- and off-ramps at both Exit 8 in Montpelier and Exit 9 in Middlesex.
VTrans has hired contractor J. Hutchens, Inc. for the project.
According to the state’s project description, work will involve milling 5 inches of existing pavement and making improvements before applying three new layers of pavement ranging from 1 inch to 2.25 inches in depth.
Along the way, there will be grading and excavation along the roadway shoulders, guardrail upgrades and new pavement markings.
J. Hutchens has begun installation of construction signage this week. Once underway, construction activities are planned to take place between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.
The highway will remain open for motorists during construction, but it will be reduced to just one open lane 24/7.
“As a result, significant traffic disruptions are anticipated, particularly during the morning and afternoon peak hours,” project officials note. Motorists are strongly encouraged to avoid the stretch if possible by taking secondary roads.
The speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph in the work zone and it will be strictly enforced to ensure the safety of workers. Fines are doubled when speeding through a construction zone, project officials note.
Anyone interested in receiving updates on the project may sign up at this link online.
Other projects around the region
There is no road work scheduled on Monday due to the Memorial Day holiday.
Richmond
I-89 and U.S. Route 2
Work continues on Interstate 89 in Richmond south of Exit 11 associated with the bridge replacement above the highway along U.S. Route 2.
I-89 will be affected between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. Motorists will encounter passing lane closures northbound (from mile marker 75.45 to mile marker 77) and southbound (between mile markers 77.29 and 75.71). Speed enforcement will be present, and fines will be doubled in the work zone.
On U.S. 2 in Richmond, from Tuesday through Friday, between 6 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., there will have traffic control on site to guide alternate one-way traffic in the vicinity of the bridge project with minimal interruptions.
The $20.4 million bridge project is expected to be completed this fall.
Waterbury
Weds., May 29: Union Street closure
Waterbury Public Works will have Union Street closed on Wednesday, May 29, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., between the intersections with North Main Street and Armory Drive. A crew will be working on a sewer line repair, Public Works Director Bill Woodruff said. No through traffic will be possible during this time. Motorists can access the area using the Stowe Street end of Union Street.
Kneeland Flats Road has a rough surface ahead of paving planned for June. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti
Kneeland Flats Road
Recent pavement milling has left a rough surface between Guptil Road and Ring Road. Motorists, motorcyclists and bicyclists are advised to proceed with caution, particularly when the roadway is wet.
Paving is currently scheduled for late June, according to Waterbury Public Works.
Gravel work on Perry Hill, Ripley, Sweet roads
The town road crew will work on adding fresh gravel to Perry Hill Road between Woodland Hills and Henry Hough Road, and on Ripley Road near Ring Road where recent improvements were made. They also plan to add gravel on Sweet Road where work left off last year.
Fayston
Muddy conditions on Bragg Hill Cemetery Road, Fayston. Courtesy photo
Heading into Memorial Day weekend, town officials in Fayston announced that Bragg Hill Cemetery Road is currently extremely muddy and not passable. For safety reasons, cones have been placed to block vehicle access to the road. “We understand this is not ideal timing, especially for those wishing to visit loved ones, and we appreciate your understanding,” the announcement said.
Once the area dries out, highway staff will assess the condition and determine what work is needed to get the road in good condition.