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Vergennes truck-traffic study: policy committee recommends two western bypass alternatives for NEPA review
Summary
A multi-year planning study narrowed about 17 alternatives to five and the policy committee recommended two western-route bypasses be advanced to NEPA review; the commission expects a final report and a public meeting in Vergennes in coming months.
A regional planning study aimed at reducing heavy truck traffic through downtown Vergennes has been narrowed to a small set of alternatives, and the policy committee has recommended that Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) advance two western-route options into the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process.
The planning-and-environmental-linkages (PEL) study considered roughly 17 initial alternatives and narrowed them to five. The finalists included two western-route bypasses, an eastern route using existing roadways (Route 17/Route 7 for northbound traffic), and an in-town option that would reconfigure local streets and add a short new connector. The policy committee voted to recommend advancing the two western alternatives to VTrans and FHWA for NEPA review while keeping the existing-roadway (Route 17/Route 7 northbound) option as a retained alternative for consideration.
Study leaders said the purpose-and-need statement centers on removing excessive heavy trucks from downtown Vergennes to improve air quality, reduce noise and support local economic vitality by improving circulation. The recommendation to prioritize western-route options reflects both technical analysis and political compromise on the committee: several members wanted the existing-roadway option retained for the NEPA process, so the committee moved forward with the western routes while keeping the Route 17/7 option on the table.
From here, staff said the final PEL report will be submitted to VTrans leadership and to federal reviewers including FHWA, with comment opportunities from federal agencies (Army Corps, EPA) expected. If VTrans and FHWA accept the recommendation and identify funding, the project would move into the NEPA process; staff estimated a final public meeting in Vergennes will follow the federal review.
No federal approvals or funding commitments were made at the commission meeting; the policy committee’s recommendation is advisory and requires action by VTrans and FHWA to proceed.
The commission said it conducted outreach in Vergennes and neighboring towns during the study and emphasized efforts to balance truck routing with impacts on adjacent communities.
