Council backs application for more state funds for Berry Street recreation path, signals and rail crossing

Montpelier staff told the City Council the Berry Street recreation path project is permitted and shovel‑ready if the state awards supplemental bicycle/pedestrian funding, and the council voted to send a letter of support with the city’s application.

Public Works and planning staff reviewed the project sequence: the recreation path along the south side of Berry Street is the city’s long‑term preferred alternative (a separated path), replacing a short‑term protected bikeway that the city installed. Staff said all state reviews and environmental clearances have been completed and the design work is finished; the city’s original Bicycle and Pedestrian Program grant award was about $305,000.

Staff reported about $78,000 has been spent so far on design and permitting. A final construction estimate presented to council was $4.13 million; to close the funding gap the city seeks an additional approximately $185,000 in state funds and would cover the required 20% local match. If awarded, staff said the project could be bid for late fall construction or next spring.

Staff explained the larger, linked package the city is pursuing includes two other pieces: signalization of the Berry/Main Street intersection and a state‑led railroad crossing reconstruction adjacent to the intersection. The projects interact — staff said crossing beacons and train detection will be coordinated with the new signal timing — and the city intends to construct and coordinate the rail crossing and the signal together under a single state project. The signal project was previously estimated at roughly $500,000 and includes adaptive signal technology to coordinate with nearby signals on Main Street.

Design details: the proposed path occupies existing right‑of‑way and will replace curbside parking on the south side of Berry Street; staff said the path would not expand the paved footprint beyond the current back‑of‑sidewalk lines. The lane layout would generally include a 10‑foot shared path, a 4‑to‑2‑foot green buffer in places, 10‑foot travel lanes and an eight‑foot parking lane on the opposite side unchanged. Staff noted driveways along the corridor will be flared with turning radii to accommodate large delivery vehicles.

Councilors and public commenters debated tradeoffs. Business owners and other residents urged caution about removing curb parking — some said deliveries and churchgoers rely on those spaces — while other residents said the temporary lane had already slowed traffic and improved safety. Staff said on weekdays the corridor’s parking demand generally is manageable and that peak midday or evening usage can be accommodated on the north side; staff also suggested the corridor is a candidate for some short‑duration meters to support turnover.

Several public commenters urged the city to press the state for clarity about proposed fencing and channelization of rail rights‑of‑way; staff said fencing is part of the state rail crossing package and the city would relay public concerns to the state. Councilors asked staff to continue coordinating the signal timing, adaptive control, and rail crossing design and confirmed the council’s letter of support would accompany the city’s application for supplemental funding.

What happens next: the council approved a staff letter of support to include in the state application. If the state awards additional funding, the city will proceed to bid and construction as the state and contractor schedules allow. Staff will continue outreach with downtown businesses about loading, parking and driveway geometry while finalizing construction plans.