Project Location: Town of Searsburg in Bennington County on VT Route 9 over Unnamed Brook. The bridge is located approximately 1.1 miles west of the intersection with VT Route 8.

This project consists of replacement of the existing 7’ diameter culvert. The existing culvert, installed in 1965, is considered to be in poor condition, rated 4, with holes in the invert of the culvert throughout its length. The culvert is 174’ long.

VTrans evaluated alternatives for rehabilitation or replacement of the culvert in an engineering study completed in January, 2016. The study assessed the proposed de-sign criteria for the bridge, Right-of-Way impacts, wildlife impacts, hydraulics, archaeological resources, and wetland impacts. Several alternatives were considered including no action, pipe rehabilitation, and pipe replacement. Pipe rehabilitation alternatives included a new pipe liner, spray-on pipe liner, and cured-in-place liner. Placement of a new pipe by jack and bore was considered. Finally, complete replacement was considered, using a road closure with detour, a temporary bridge, or constructing the new culvert in phases while keeping traffic moving through the work zone.

After the engineering study was completed it was brought to VTrans’ attention that this area of VT 9 is a very important north/south corridor for animals including large mammals such as bear and bobcat.  Based on this information VTrans decided a full replacement structure here is warranted. As part of this project VTrans is working with the Agency of Natural Resources on improvements to aquatic and terrestrial animal passage.