CCRPC adds preliminary engineering funds after $24.8M RAISE award for Winooski River bridge

The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission unanimously approved a TIP amendment Nov. 16 to add preliminary engineering funds for the Main Street Winooski River Bridge following a $24.8 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant award.

Christine Forde, CCRPC senior transportation planner, told the board the amendment adds $1,000,000 in federal funds for preliminary engineering in FY23 and $1,000,000 in FY24 for Project BR070. "The reason for the change is the project was awarded $24.8 million RAISE to replace the 93‑year‑old Winooski River Bridge," she said.

Carolyn Cota, VTrans structures program manager, provided further detail: the project is expected to be a design‑build effort with an estimated total cost of roughly $43.7–$46.2 million. She described the planned funding split as about 80 percent federal, 10 percent state and 10 percent local, and noted VTrans must include the project in the TIP before proceeding. "The new bridge needs to be completed and the RAISE grant funds need to be spent by 2031," Cota said, calling attention to a tight schedule for a project of this scope.

Board members asked about potential right‑of‑way impacts and design aesthetics. Eleni Churchill noted the scoping study identified possible ROW needs because the new bridge will be wider to accommodate all modes; Carolyn Cota said lateral slide work could necessitate future ROW acquisition. Community members, including Bruce Wilson, requested consideration of murals or other aesthetic elements; Cota said she would pass those requests to the project manager.

Mike O’Brien moved to approve the TIP amendment and Chris Shaw seconded; MPO members carried the motion unanimously.