NORTH HERO-GRAND ISLE BRIDGE BR#8
BHF 028-1(26) North Hero
REPLACEMENT OF BRIDGE NO. 8 ON US2 BETWEEN NORTH HERO AND GRAND ISLE, OVER LAKE CHAMPLAIN.
Location and Description:
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. Construction will begin June 2018 and the estimated completion date is Summer 2023. The contractor will build a temporary drawbridge prior to replacing the existing drawbridge so that impacts to vehicular traffic are minimized.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How will vehicular and marine traffic be managed during construction?
A temporary drawbridge will be constructed first, adjacent to the existing bridge. This will allow for two lanes of vehicular traffic to remain throughout the majority of the project. There will be short periods of time when vehicular traffic is reduced to one lane. These times will be communicated to the public via message boards and construction updates. To sign up for a construction update, please email Jacquie Dagesse at jdagesse@eivtech.com or call 802-324-5522. Marine traffic will have unrestricted vertical clearance and the ability to travel through the drawbridge throughout construction.
When does the drawbridge operate and how many cars use it?
The drawbridge begins service May 15th, and runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day until Oct. 15th. From 2018 thru 2022, the existing drawbridge and temporary drawbridge will open at the top of the hour during the times of operation. Once the new drawbridge is operational, the bridge will open on demand or on the half hour. The drawbridge sees about 3000 cars pass through daily during the off-season with that number doubling during the summer and fall months.
What are the alternatives that were considered? Rehabilitation of the existing drawbridge or replacement of the existing bridge with a new drawbridge, either on the existing alignment or on a new adjacent alignment.
Is this the only drawbridge in Vermont? There are three drawbridges in Vermont. The North Hero-Grand Isle drawbridge is the only drawbridge in the highway system. The other two are railroad bridges; a turntable in Alburgh-Swanton that is operable and the other is located within the rail yard in Burlington but it is welded shut.
For additional information please contact the project outreach manager, Jacqueline Dagesse, at (802) 324-5522 or jdagesse@eivtech.com
Updates and project information will also be posted on our project website: nhgi.vtransprojects.vermont.gov
Link to project sharepoint site: https://outside.vermont.gov/agency/vtrans/external/Projects/Structures/12b142
Contact Information
**Please note: Contractors are to direct all inquiries to Contract Administration during project advertisement.
VTrans Project Manager
James Lacroix
(802) 917-8436
james.lacroix@vermont.gov
VTrans Resident Engineer
Phillip Harrington
(802) 793-1394
phillip.harrington@vermont.gov
