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Residents urge quicker repairs on Route 15/Pearl Street after dangerous rutting; city says repaving for outbound side set for August
Summary
A resident raised safety concerns about rutting and water pooling on Route 15/Pearl Street; city staff said the outbound side from West Street extension to Susie Wilson Road will be repaved beginning about Aug. 7 and that the city will continue to coordinate with VTrans and CCRPC on other sections.
A resident told the council that sections of Route 15 (Pearl Street and beyond) have deep ruts that create hazardous driving conditions when even light rain produces spray and temporarily blocks drivers’ vision. “It gets really dangerous when people drive because the cars can get stuck in those ruts… I couldn't see for 5 seconds,” Steve Eustace said during the public-comment period.
Regina, the city manager, responded that the city will repave the outbound side of Pearl Street from West Street extension to Susie Wilson Road and that the work is part of the city’s repaving contract with a contractor expected to begin about Aug. 7. “We, have communicated with VTrans in the past about trying to get that road paved more quickly. And we can communicate with CCRPC about it as well,” Regina said, adding that she believes the paver contractor will complete the city’s paving work before the local fair.
Eustace asked who is responsible for sections of Route 15 that run through neighboring jurisdictions (Essex, Colchester) and pressed the council to advocate for faster fixes to reduce safety risk during rush hours. Staff said some decisions about state-owned roads are VTrans responsibilities and noted that CCRPC’s TIP had included the route but projects shifted timing; staff agreed to continue advocating with regional and state partners.
No formal council action was taken; staff said they will continue coordination and proceed with the city’s repaving work scheduled for early August.
