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TAC members report COVID-19 disruptions and contingency measures for the construction season
Summary
At a TAC roundtable, members described pandemic-driven disruptions to bidding, staffing and project delivery: Essex used local funds after state grant timing issues, South Burlington lost an electrician crew on a major City Hall project, Burlington is training staff for CDL operations, and Williston split crews to limit exposure.
TAC members used a roundtable to report how COVID-19 affected the 2020 construction season and preparations for winter operations.
Dennis Lutz described uncertainty in state grant timing that left Essex projects bid early; the town used local funds to complete work and is budgeting conservatively for next year amid unclear state funding levels. Justin Rabidoux said South Burlington is budgeting conservatively and cited a loss of the electrician crew for a $20 million City Hall project, which complicated scheduling.
Nicole Losch said Burlington will train staff to obtain commercial driver’s licenses so employees can operate sidewalk plows and other equipment. Bruce Hoar said Williston split crews, keeping half at home and half working to preserve capacity, and warned that mutual aid for plowing unfamiliar roads can create safety and infrastructure risks.
Members suggested contingency planning measures such as staffing separation, public communication of priority areas, and cross-training. Green Mountain Transit reported restoration of 20-minute service on some routes.
