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Council awards contract for East–West Alternative Transportation Crossing, phase 1
Summary
Council unanimously approved awarding the phase-1 construction contract for the East–West walk/bike bridge (Exit 14) to ECI Construction, contingent on zoning permits; staff said the award enables summer 2026 construction and helps leverage about $20 million in federal funding, with phase-1 completion projected October 2028.
The South Burlington City Council on April 20 approved awarding the phase-1 construction contract for the East–West Alternative Transportation Crossing — a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over I‑89 at Exit 14 — to ECI Construction, the lowest bidder. Community Development Director Alana Blanchard told council the phase includes the bridge, 14-foot ramps, a 10-foot shared-use path connecting to Williston Road (near Staples Plaza), a connection to CVS and the University Mall property.
Blanchard said bid analysis confirmed ECI's price and that the owner's budget includes a contingency for unanticipated costs. She said the contract completion date for phase 1 is October 2028 and that scheduled construction will use phased nighttime lane shutdowns to avoid daytime traffic disruptions. "This phase of the project is the bridge," she said, noting three connection points and that the contract will allow construction this summer if permitting proceeds.
Councilors flagged a remaining funding gap for phase 1 and asked staff to continue grant applications; Blanchard listed recent applications including the BUILD (formerly RAISE) grant and discretionary congressional requests. Jesse Baker confirmed staff aim to fully leverage roughly $20,000,000 in federal funds tied to the project and said the contract award is contingent on issuance of a zoning permit for 861 Williston Road. The motion to award carried unanimously.
