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City reports progress on Main Street work and Abenaki Garage; resident raises detour communication concerns
Summary
City staff updated council on multiple municipal infrastructure projects — Main Street reconstruction, the Abenaki Garage development and the Burlington–Winooski Bridge planning — and a resident asked the city to expand its notification methods (including robocalls) after a recent detour led to confusion at a housing authority property.
Winooski staff provided a status update June 2 on major municipal infrastructure projects and related outreach, and a resident urged improved communications after a recent lane‑change and detour created confusion for vulnerable residents.
Project updates: John (city staff) reported the Abenaki Garage (a city‑owned parking structure with adjacent hotel and housing components) is under active construction with steel framing visible; the Main Street reconstruction contract is roughly 42% complete by billing, with water/sewer substantially complete and ongoing stormwater and conduit work. John said the Main Street work will advance to road reconstruction segments as underground work finishes, and staff announced an open house for Main Street construction on June 17.
Bridge and DDI coordination: Staff said the Burlington–Winooski Bridge project and a separate DDI (diverging diamond interchange) project are being coordinated; the Tygan Street signal is part of the DDI contract and will be synchronized to aid Main Street work. Condemnation hearings for temporary easements related to the bridge are expected in late June, staff added.
Resident concern about detour communications: Mary Kane, a resident from a 56‑unit housing property with many disabled residents, described a May 20 traffic incident during detour implementation and said the municipality did not use the robocall system to notify residents. Kane said a lack of signage and inconsistent flagger and officer directions created confusion and safety risk for residents who rely on accessible notice methods. “There was no signage near the entrance or exit of the property… For residents with disabilities, including many in our building, those gaps in communication are more than just inconvenient. They are unsafe,” Kane said. City staff acknowledged the concern, said staff had communicated earlier that day by email with Kane, and committed to following up with Housing Authority staff and exploring robocall notification options.
Why it matters: Main Street reconstruction and bridge work will create recurring traffic pattern changes and detours; residents and service providers flagged the need for accessible, timely notification methods for people with limited digital access or mobility challenges.
Next steps and outreach: staff said they will continue coordination with contractors and utilities and will host a public open house on June 17. Staff also said they will follow up with the resident and Housing Authority about possible use of robocalls and additional signage in the affected area.
