Select Board adopts VTrans recommendations for Bridge 42 design

The Jamaica Select Board voted on June 8 to endorse design recommendations from VTrans for the Bridge 42 replacement, approving metallized coating for the steel girders, a larger-scale stone pattern for stamped concrete liners, a darker green powder-coated railing, and a striping plan that will functionally create a one-lane crossing with shoulders for pedestrians and bicycles.

Committee member (voice identified in the transcript as the member presenting VTrans' work) told the board that "their recommendation is to stick with the metallized coatings on the steel girders" because the metallized finish has a longer lifespan and lower maintenance burden than paint. The board approved that recommendation by voice vote.

On the question of the bridge's visible finishes, the board selected a larger quarried-rock block look for the stamped concrete liner and agreed not to add color pigment. "The concrete is going to age and form a patina over time anyways," a board member said when explaining the recommendation to avoid dye. The board's motion to select the larger block look carried without a price difference reported by the design team; members said construction funding will come from a mix of state and federal sources.

The board also approved a powder-coated darker green railing to better blend with the landscape and accepted a striping approach that will prioritize a single travel lane with shoulders for pedestrians and bikes rather than adding a dedicated sidewalk. The project schedule discussed with VTrans indicates a tentatively placed construction window around 2030, with removal of the existing bridge possibly beginning in 2031 and a new span completed by 2032; VTrans emphasized making the design "bid-ready" so the town is ready should funds become available earlier.

VTrans is expected to return with final design plans at the board's July 13 meeting; the board agreed to invite the design team to present via Zoom or in person.