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State outlines $3.5 million repair for failed retaining wall on Route 12 in Northfield
Summary
Vermont Agency of Transportation officials presented plans to replace a failed retaining wall on Route 12 (Sunnybrook) following the 2023 flood, describing a cast-in-place concrete wall, temporary one-lane traffic with signal control, an estimated $3.5 million cost and a town share of 0%.
Vermont Agency of Transportation project manager Robert Young and lead designer Stephen Coley told the Northfield Selectboard on Sept. 23 that work to replace a failed retaining wall on Route 12 (mile markers 1.84–1.9) is moving from preliminary plans into final design, with bidding expected this winter and construction anticipated next spring.
Coley said the existing lay-up stone and concrete wall failed in 2023 and does not meet AASHTO scour standards. "Under scour conditions, they do not meet minimum requirements of AASHTO," he said, and the new proposal calls for a cast-in-place reinforced-concrete wall built on spread footings down to bedrock. Coley described maintaining northbound traffic with temporary signals and using concrete barriers to create a single travel lane during work.
Coley gave several technical details: average daily traffic on the stretch is 921 vehicles with about 3.3% trucks, the design speed is 40 mph, right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation are not required for the project, and the anticipated design life is 75 years. He estimated the total project cost at "approximately 3 and a half million" and said the town's share would be 0% for this emergency-recovery project.
Residents asked about risks to private wells and older stone foundations adjacent to the work. VTrans staff said they will identify and monitor wells near the excavation and can implement vibration monitoring for nearby foundations. Officials also noted that the project will replace one drainage inlet and relocate a drainage pipe, while most other work will be paving and limited excavation.
Selectboard members raised questions about the adjacent town-owned bridge abutments. VTrans representatives said the bridge itself is a town asset and not part of this state ER project, but contractors will use supportive excavation and means-and-methods to protect the bridge and abutments during retaining-wall work.
VTrans said permitting and final plans are in progress, with advertising for contractors expected early next year and contract award in February; Coley estimated a roughly six-month field construction window beginning in April. The presentation concluded after public questions about drainage, driveway impacts and permanent signage. The board did not take any formal action on the project at the meeting.
